Eyewitness testimony: The cognitive interview

Question 1

Who created the cognitive interview?

Answer 1

Fisher and Geiselman (1992)

Question 2

What are the four main techniques of the cognitive interview?

Answer 2

1.report every detail even if irrelevant 2.reinstate the context by returning to the original crime scene in their mind 3.recall events in a different order to prevent dishonesty and basing the description on logical sequences. 4.recall the incident from other people’s perspectives, prevents the influence of expectation.

Question 3

What is the enhanced cognitive interview?

Answer 3

Fisher et al. in 1987 developed the CI, including the focus on the social dynamic of interviewing (eye contact, etc.)

Question 4

Strength- research support. Kohnken et al. 1999

Answer 4

combined data from 55 studies comparing CI with the standard police interview. CI produced an average of 41% more correct information than standard interviewing. However, also found an increase in false information, especially in ECI.

Question 5

Limitation- time

Answer 5

time consuming and requires special training. it is not realistic for police officers to use.