Cognitive Interview

Question 1

Cognitive Interview

Answer 1

A method of interviewing EW to help them retrieve more accurate memories, using 4 main techniques all based on evidence-based psychological knowledge of human memory

Question 2

1. Report Everything

Answer 2

Witnesses are encouraged to include every detail even if it seems irrelevant as it may trigger other memories

Question 3

2. Reinstate Context

Answer 3

EW should return to original crime scene mentally + imagine the environment, weather, emotions etc.
- To prevent Context-dependent forgetting

Question 4

3. Change Perspective

Answer 4

Recall from others’ POV like other EWs or criminal

- Disrupts effect of expectations/schema - what should have happened - on recall

Question 5

4. Reverse Order

Answer 5

Recall in diff. chronological order to original scene

=> prevents presuming events or dishonest accounts

Question 6

Enhanced Cognitive Interview (ECI)

Answer 6

Fisher et al (1987) developed additional elements to focus on social dynamics of interaction e.g.

• Knowing when to make eye contact + when to relinquish
• Also includes reducing EW anxiety, reducing distraction, open ended Qs etc

Question 7

Support on CI’s effectiveness - Meta Analysis (AO3)

Answer 7

Kohnken et al (1999) - Combined data from 55 studies comparing CI to standard interview gave 41% increase in accurate info - only 4% of studies showed no difference

• SUGGESTS => CI is effective in helping witnesses recall info stored not necessarily accessible

Question 8

COUNTERPOINT to Meta Analysis Support (AO3)

Answer 8

• There’s also an increase in inaccurate info collected with ECI doing this more than CI
  => may sacrifice quality of EWT for amount of info - police should treat EWT w/ caution

Question 9

Some Elements May Be More Useful (AO3)

Answer 9

Milne + Bull (2002) found each technique alone produced more info but steps 1+2 produced the best recall out of other elements + combinations

• Confirms police’s suspicion about CI and causes doubt in CI’s credibility overall

Question 10

Time Consuming (AO3)

Answer 10

• Takes more training causing reluctance
• More time spent estabilishing rapport w/ EW so they relax
• Requires special training that many police forces dont have the resources for

=> SUGGESTS it isn’t realistic to implement or we should only focus on key parts

Question 11

Variations of the CI (AO3)

Answer 11

• Some police have taken a ‘pick + mix’ approach to CI
  
  • Hard to compare effectiveness of diff. approaches in research studies
  • BUT is more flexible as individuals can develop own style dependent on what works for them