improving EWT accuracy - cognitive interview

Question 1

why are standard interviews not fully accurate?

Answer 1

• closed questions (less detail)

- witnesses had little time and limited say

Question 2

explain stage 1 - context reinstatement

Answer 2

mentally returning to the crime scene - trigger environmental and emotional cues (increasing accessibility)

Question 3

explain stage 2 - report everything

Answer 3

all details (even irrelevant) must be reported as they may act as cues later on for the bigger picture

Question 4

explain stage 3 - recall from a changed perspective

Answer 4

consider the perspective of another witness in a different position to disrupt schema/bias

Question 5

explain stage 4 - recall in a different order

Answer 5

recall in reverse - check accuracy and challenge expectations

Question 6

strengths of CI

Answer 6

• proven to increase accuracy in results
• more detail and info gathered
• build trust and remove anxiety with the interviewer

Question 7

limitations of CI

Answer 7

• time consuming
• officers need to be trained
• more expensive process