improving EWT- cognitive interviews

Question 1

fisher and geiselman- cognitive interview rules

Answer 1

report everything- all details

reinstate the context- witness imagines crime scene

reverse order- diff chronology

change perspective- holistic view

Question 2

enhanced cognitive interview rules

Answer 2

minimise distractions
ask open ended questions
adapt suitable language
avoid judgemental comments

Question 3

research support- geiselman

Answer 3

staged theft, ppts saw an intruder with blue rucksack. later, a misleading question suggested it was green. those questioned with cognitive interview were more likely to recall correct colour = it reduces misleading info

Question 4

strength- real life application

Answer 4

CI improves accuracy of EWT= police work more efficiently= better use of public funds. this benefits economy by reducing time and resources spent on incomplete testimonies

Question 5

weakness- practical limitations

Answer 5

CI can be time consuming and require extensive training for officers= diverts them from regular duties. this makes it hard to implement them in financially limited settings

Question 6

weakness- witness distress (ethical)

Answer 6

cognitive interviews may ask witnesses to mentally revisit distressing or traumatic events in detail = emotional discomfort or psychological harm

Question 7

strength- scientific foundations

Answer 7

grounded in cognitive psychology and theories of memory retrieval (ESP)- techniques from enhanced rules use well established research= scientific credibility