cognitive interview

• What is the cognitive interview?

  An interview process which is supposed to make the witness recall the most information, based on the idea of cues which trigger the memory.
• Step 1

  Re-create the context- ask about everything that happens.

  Don't touch the memory but try to cue the memory by recreating the day in their mind.
• Step 2

  Report every detail- without asking any specific questions they should report every detail not just the things that they think was relevant.
• Step 3

  Recall the information in a different order- this will help comb over the memory and they might get more facts. This doesn't cause confabulation as it only asks one question.
• Step 4

  Change perspective- recalling the events through someone else's eyes may make some gaps fill in. Again there is no confabulation as there were no leading questions.
• support for effectiveness

  P: strength - support for the effectiveness of CI

  E: a meta-analysis of 55 studies showed CI gave a 41% increase in accurate information compared to standard interview

  E: Only 4 studies showed no difference between the two interviews

  L: therefore is effective in helping the witness recall information
• counterpoint

  P: limitation - increase in inaccurate information

  E: ECI produced more inaccurate information than CI

  E: CI may sacrifice quality of EWT in favor of quantity

  L: therefore police officers should treat EW evidence from CI with caution
• some elements are more useful

  P: limitation - some aspects of CI are not useful

  E: each of four techniques produced more information than standard interview

  E: but combination of report everything and reinstate context produced better recall than all of them combined

  L: therefore credibility of CI doubted
• time-consuming

  P: limitation - takes time and training

  E: more time is needed to establish a rapport and allow the witness to relax

  E: require special training and many forces do not have the resources to provide more than a few hours

  L: therefore complete CI not a realistic method for police officers to use
• enhanced cognitive interview 


  Additional elements of CI

  when to establish eye contact

  reducing eye-witness anxiety

  minimizing distractions

  asking open-ended questions