Improving EWT- CI

• Evaluation 1 for cognitive interview-

  P- one strength is there is research support for the effectiveness of the CI

  EV- A meta analysis combined data from 55 studies comparing CI with SI, finding that the CI produced more correct information than SI.

  EX- There is the claim CI improves accuracy of EWT, which this evidence supports as witnesses are able to recall more correct information

  L- So, as accuracy increases, the validity of CI also increases.
• evaluation point 2- time consuming

  P- one weakness is the CI is time consuming.

  EV- the CI has 4 stages the interviewer must go through to gain all detail required this takes time to complete. In addition, a rapport must be established and it requires specialist training to carry out this interview type, whic also requires money.

  EX- A lack of training and money means it’s unlikely the proper version of CI can be used.

  L- This means the benefits of the CI may be older or not present at all.
• Evaluation counter argument for point 2

  P- However, its been found that using 2 of the 4 components is just as effective as using all.

  EV- Milne and Bull found the combination of the processes ‘report everything’ and ‘mental reinstatment’ produces the best outcomes.

  EX- SO, time doesnt have to be wasted going through all the steps but instead only those two should be used by the police.

  L- This improves CI credibility of its effectiveness, and we may also argue that if EWT information is more effective, investigations may not take as long, which saves money in the long run.
• evaluation 4- methodology

  P- one weakness is one component may be considered unreliable.

  EV- The ‘change perspective’ component requires interviewees to created a mental picture of the incident, which may encourage imagination and fictional thinking.

  EX- Because people cant imagine what someone else has seen realistically, it creates an issue as interviewees may not know the answer, so may lie.

  L- So, this stage may be unreliable and interviewees may be subject to social desirability bias if they are not confident in their answer.
• Introduction- why was CI introduced?

  fisher and geiselman created the cognitive interview in an aim to improve eye witness testimonies by basing techniques on how memory works
• What are the four key components of a cognitive interview

  • mental reinstatement
  • Report everything
  • Change the order
  • Change the perspective
• Explain mental reinstatement

  Mental reinstatement refers to the interviewer encouraging the interviewer to recreate both the physical and psychological environment of the event. Doing this can make memories more accessible, as emotions or context can act as cues for recall.
• Explain report everything

  Report everything refers to encouraging the interviewee to report every detail, despite it seeming irrelevant. It’s important to do this as it may build a more complete idea by piecing together details
• Change the order

  The interviewer asks the interviewee for alternative timelines Of the event

  Doing this would disrupt the schema, so actual details are focussed on
• change the perspective

  interviewer asks interviewee to recall events from another’s POV who was also present at the event.

  doing this would disrupt the schema, and would avoid bias.