What was the method of a traditional interview
in 60s and 70s, asked leading questions and introduced post event information.
who created the cognitive interview
Fisher and Geiselman 1992
what are the four main techniques used in the cognitive interview
1- report everything
2- reinstate context
3- reverse order
4- change perspective
what is an enhanced cognitive interview
additional elements to be used eg when to make eye contact and when to break it , reducing eye witness anxiety and minimising distractions
what is the technique of report everything
witnesses encouraged to say everything, even though they feel it irrelevant, can trigger other important memories
what is the technique of reinstate the context
witnesses return to original crime scene in there mind, imagine the environment and emotions
what is the technique of reverse the order
events should be recalled in a different chronological order, prevents expectations of how the event must have happened.
what is the technique of change perspective
witnesses should recall event from another perspective, disrupt effect of expectations and schema on recall
Limitation- quality v quantity
- procedure designed to increase quantity without compromising quality
kohnken et al - 81% increase in correct information
61% increase in incorrect information when using enhanced interview - can lead to false convictions
- vital in cross contamination
Limitations- problems with using
Kebell and wagstaff
officers suggest technique requires more time/ availability which is not available
- prefer to to limit eye witness report to minimum amount of info
- requires special training , not been widespread, not appropriate time/cosy
Strength- effectiveness of cognitive interview
- meta analysis increase of 34% accuracy in correct info with CI compared to standard interview
- HOWEVER, factors may be due to individual differences
- Milne and bull, four students interviewed with four different elements of CI
- recall significantly higher than other conditions
