Cognitive Interview ( A Little AO3)

Question 1

What was used to improve the EWT?

Answer 1

The cognitive interview

Question 2

Support for the effectiveness of CI (strength)

Answer 2

Meta analysis by Günter Kohnken et al. Combined with data from 55 studies comparing the CI with the standard police interview, gave an average increase of 41% in accurate information. Shows that CI is an effective technique in helping witnesses recall info stored in memory but isn’t accessible.

Question 3

Counterpoint of Köhnken et all

Answer 3

Kohnken also found an increase in the amount of inaccurate info recalled by pps. Cognitive interviews may sacrifice quality of EWT (accuracy) in favour of quantity. Meaning that police officers should treat EW evidence from CI/ECI with caution.

Question 4

Limitation of CI, some events may be more useful

Answer 4

Milne and Bill found that using a combination of “report everything” and “reinstate the context” produced better recall than any of the other elements or combination of them. This casts some doubt on the credibility of the CI.