Cognitive interview

Question 1

Cognitive interview

Answer 1

Geiselman (1985)

Method of interviewing based on psychological understandings of human memory (that it is reconstructive and can be improved by cues that help us remember(

It was designed to increase the accuracy of EWT

Question 2

Context reinstatement

Answer 2

The witness is asked to mentally recreate the context of the event

This acts as a cue to put the witness in the same context as they were when they witnessed the event to help trigger memories

They are asked to describe the setting the event took place in, for example the weather, the time and what they were thinking

Question 3

Context reinstatement type of question

Answer 3

“Think back to the day; what do you remember thinking as the event happened”

Question 4

Change the order

Answer 4

The witness is asked to recall the event in a different order where they may have to give later events first followed by earlier events

This helps to verify the accuracy of their testimony

If they are lying or getting things mistaken, they are unlikely to be able to recall the same testimony when told in a different order

Question 5

Change the order type of question

Answer 5

Can you tell me what happened from the moment where the [the event] happened, back to the moment you entered the [the scene]

Question 6

Report everything

Answer 6

The witness is asked to report every detail of the event

They are asked to describe all detail from important through to trivial so to reduce the chance of any information being ignored

Question 7

Report everything type of question

Answer 7

Is there anything else you remember from the day that you may not have told us, even if it seems unimportant

Question 8

Change the perspective

Answer 8

The witness is asked to recall the event from the perspective of another witness or viewpoint

This gets the witness to think about the event as a whole rather than from just their view and so can increase recall

Question 9

Change the perspective type of question

Answer 9

Can you tell me what happened from the perspective of someone else at the scene

Question 10

Enhanced cognitive interview

Answer 10

Fisher et al (1987) developed further elements of the cognitive interview focusing on the interaction between the interviewer and the witness e.g. when it make and break eye contact

This ECI also aims to reduce eyewitness anxiety and minimise distraction

Question 11

Differences between SI and CI

Answer 11

SI - short closed question where a brief answer can be given, focus is on simple and brief facts, witnesses can be disrupted by further questions

CI - witness is encouraged to relax and speak slowly, open ended questions where a detailed answer can be given, focus is on detailed facts, witnesses can go in detail without interruption

Question 12

Evidence for the cognitive interview

Answer 12

Geiselman (1985)

89 participants were shown a video of an artificial crime

Their EWT was tested 48 hours later using either the standard interview or cognitive interview by trained LA police officers

Question 13

Geiselman findings

Answer 13

CI generated more correct responses than any other method (41 v 29)

Question 14

Geiselman conc

Answer 14

This suggests that the CI is a more effective method of gathering EWT than any other method