Accuracy of EWT - Cognitive Interviews and Evaluation

How did cognitive interviews begin?

When Fisher and Geiselman 1992, argued that EWT could be improved if the police used better techniques. Recommended that techniques should be based on psychological insights into how memory works

What are the 4 main techniques for cognitive interviews?

Report everything, context reinstatement, change perspective and reverse the order

Report everything

Witnesses are encouraged to include every detail of the event, even if they aren’t confident or it may seem irrelevant. Trivial details may be important, may trigger other important memories

Context reinstatement

The witness should return to the original crime scene in their mind and imagine the environment and their emotions. Details can act as a trigger to help recall more information. Related to context-dependent forgetting

Change perspective

Should recall the incident from other people’s perspectives. Disrupts the effect of schema on recall, schema generates expectations

Reverse the order

Events should be recalled in a different order from the original. Prevents people reporting their expectations of the event and prevents dishonesty, it is harder for people to produce an untruthful account when backwards

First strength

P - There is evidence that it works. E - Meta-analysis by Kohnken et al (1999) combined data from 55 studies comparing cognitive with standard. Gave cognitive an average of 41% increase in accurate info. Only 4 studies showed no difference between the interviews. L - Shows that cognitive is effective in helping witnesses to recall information that is stored in memory

Counterpoint of the first strength

Kohnken et al found an increase in the amount of inaccurate info recalled by participants. Means the cognitive interview has quantity over quality. Means that the police should treat eyewitnesses evidence from cognitive interviews carefully

Second strength

P - Led to the development of new interviewing techniques. E - It is complicated to administer, take time that the police may not have. Led to the development of self-administered interview, a report that a witness can complete independently with instructions to guide them. Follows the same principles as cognitive. L - Suggests that CI can be adapted to reduce the burden on police forces

First limitation

P - Not everything is useful or effective. E - Milne and Bull (2002) found that each of the 4 techniques produced more info than standard interviews. Found that a combo of report everything and reinstate the context produced better recall, where the only combo that had the best recall. L - Shows some doubt on the credibility of the overall cognitive interview

Second limitation

P - Requires training and investment, may not always be available, can be limited resources. E - Police raised some practical issues, may be resultant to use since it takes more training and time. Requires specialist training, many forces don’t have the resources. L - Suggests that the complete cognitive interview isn’t a realistic method for police to use