The cognitive interview

Question 1

What are the 4 steps of the cognitive interview

Answer 1

Report everything, reinstate the context, reverse the order and change perspective

Question 2

What does the enhanced cognitive interview do

Answer 2

Focuses on the social dynamics of the interaction

Question 3

What did Fischer and Geiselman do

Answer 3

Utilised the psychological understanding of memory to develop a new interview technique for the police. Aimed to improve the accuracy of EWT.

Question 4

What is part 1 of the cognitive interview

Answer 4

Encourage witness to report everything they can remember. Encouraged to report all details no matter how irrelevant they seem, may trigger other memories.

Question 5

What is part 2 of the cognitive interview

Answer 5

Revisit the crime scene ‘in their mind’ imagine the environment. Based on context - dependent forgetting.

Question 6

What is part 3 of the cognitive interview

Answer 6

Recall events from end to beginning or from middle to beginning. Prevents expectations affecting accuracy and dishonesty.

Question 7

What is part 4 of the cognitive interview

Answer 7

Ask P to recall the event from the perspective of an alternative witness.

Question 8

What needs to be included to make the interview an enhanced cognitive interview

Answer 8

Reduce EW anxiety
Minimise distraction
speak slowly
avoid disturbing them
ask open (non leading Q’s)
Focus on social dynamics (eye contact)

Question 9

Evaluate the cognitive interview approach using Konken’s 1999 research support (strength)

Answer 9

Meta analysis - combined data of 55 studies comparing cognitive interview, enhanced cognitive interview and standard police interview cognitive interview produced on average 41% more correct information. Only 4/55 studies showed no difference. Therefore, this shows that cognitive interview is effective at helping witnesses recall additional information that is available but not accessible.

Question 10

Evaluate the cognitive interview approach using Konken’s 1999 research support (weakness)

Answer 10

Konken also found that incorrect information also increased with use of cognitive interview. Quantity over quality. Therefore, there may be limitations to the use of CI/ECI and police should be mindful of this outcome

Question 11

Evaluate the cognitive approach based on the usefulness of each of its steps (weakness)

Answer 11

Some aspects are more useful than others.
Research has found each individual technique produced more information than standard interviews. The best combination was report everything and context reinstatement
Better than any individual or using all 4.
Therefore, casts doubts on the effectiveness of CI as some aspects are much more useful than others.