Making a case - The Cognitive Interview

Question 1

Standard police interview procedures

Answer 1

Ineffective

Question 2

Cognitive interview

Answer 2

Created by Geiselman & Fisher.

Based on psychological theories of memory… these are the aspects CI takes into account to try and solve.

Question 3

Psychological theories of memory 1

Answer 3

Encoding specificity hypothesis:

Recall better in same place, emotional state, hence the state and context of memory affect retrieval of information.

Question 4

Psychological theories of memory 2

Answer 4

Memory networks:

Several cues for retrieving a memory. Stimulating one memory may lead to another.

Question 5

Psychological theories of memory 3

Answer 5

Schemas:
There are schemas for social behaviour, we fill in the gaps with memories which are appropriate to schemas and filter out information which is inconsistent with our schemas.

Question 6

Purpose of CI

Answer 6

Solution to get best and most info from witness recall

Question 7

1. Context reinstatement

Procedure of CI

Answer 7

Report everything.

Recreate context and emotional response.

Question 8

2. Focused retrieval

Procedure of CI

Answer 8

Important for witness to recall everything, incomplete details from different witnesses may mesh together to provide important leads.
Based on “Encoding Specificity Hypothesis”

Question 9

3. Extensive retrieval

Procedure of CI

Answer 9

Change perspective

Put themselves in the place of others to reduce schema effect of false recall.
Fault = evidence is inferential and may not be accepted in a court.

Question 10

4. Change order

Procedure of CI

Answer 10

Recall in an unusual order to help recall what doesn’t fit with the schema, however may interfere with context reinstatement.

Question 11

Enhanced CI

Answer 11

Witness takes active role and does most talking.
Interviewers used focused memory techniques and creates a relaxed atmosphere to give more control to witness.
Witness compatible questioning - questions guided by witness.