topic 18 - enhanced cognitive interview - Andrew Langley

Question 1

what is a cognitive interview?

Answer 1

Feature based facial composite systems such as E-FIT require the witness to provide detailed facial descriptions.

care must be taken when interviewing the witness to ensure that a complete and accurate description is obtained

Question 2

what are some key steps of the fisher and geiselman orignal cognitive interview?

Answer 2

1. reinstate the context - remember what happened and the surroundings
2. report everything - relay the details
3. recall the events in different orders - try to go through events in the reverse order so you dont miss anything.
4. change the perspectives - try recall the incident from someone elses eyes.

Question 3

what 5 steps comprise the enhanced cognitive interview?

Answer 3

1.Rapport building

2. Recreate the context of the original event
3. Open ended narration
4. Questioning
5. Closure

Question 4

what is Rapport building?

Answer 4

Sets the witness at ease - placing them in the correct frame of mind.

Question 5

what is context reinstatement?

Answer 5

This is the most effective component to the Cognitive interview.

Invite the witness to close their eyes and place themselves back at the scene.

Remember associated events like sights and sounds.

Question 6

what is open end narration?

Answer 6

free flowing narration.

Witness describes the event of their own accord without prompts.

Question 7

what is questioning?

Answer 7

Interviewer plays a more central role than in step 3 but the witness remains in control.

Focussed retrieval
- Use open ended questions.
- Do not interrupt.
- Allow for long pauses.

Witness compatible questioning
- Conduct the interview at the witness’s pace rather than dictating the pace yourself.

Question 8

what does ADVOKATE stand for?

Answer 8

A - amount of time under observation
D - distance
V - visibility
O - obstruction
K - known or seen before
A - any reason to remember
T - time lapse - how much time has passed
E - error or material discrepancy

Question 9

what is closure?

Answer 9

Brief the witness as to what will happen next.

Exchange contact details and ask them to get in touch if they remember anything else (but maybe too late to alter the composite).

Leave the witness in a positive frame of mind.