Improving accuracy of EWT - The cognitive interview Flashcards
AO1: Intro - Cognitive interview
Developed by Fisher and Geiselman, the cognitive interview is a technique used by police to interview witnesses after they have seen a crime or accident to help facilitate the most accurate and detailed memory possible. Lots of ‘open’ questions are asked where the witness is not interrupted and free to expand on their own answers.
AO1: Cognitive interview
Recall everything is where witnesses report all details even if its seems irrelevant as the recall may trigger for more information. “Start from the beginning, tell me what happened at the morning of the memory”.
Context reinstatement is where the witness is asked to mentally place themselves back at the scene of the event and imagine the environment, such as the weather and what they could see, and their emotions. This may trigger memories that appear forgotten but aren’t accessible due to retrieval failure. ‘What was the weather like..’
Recall in reverse order is where the witness is asked to report what happened in a different chronological order. This prevents witnesses reporting what they expected to happen (schema) rather than what happened. It also prevents dishonesty, as it is harder to lie when having to reverse a story. “Tell us what happened from when you entered the bank”.
Recall from changed a perspective is where the witness is asked to recall the incident from another person’s perspective who witnessed the crime e.g. the perpetrator. It may prevent witnesses reporting what they expected to happen (schema) rather than what happened. “Imagine you’re the bank robber… what do you see”
AO3: Cognitive interview (4)
3 - Think further
1) Kohnken et al - compered to standard
2) False positives
3) Think further Economy
4) Milne and Bull - Combinations
