Improving Accuracy of Eyewitness Testimony: The Cognitive Interview

The cognitive interview (CI) is a method developed by Fisher and Geiselman in 1992 to improve the accuracy of eyewitness testimony. This technique consists of four main components designed to enhance memory recall:

1. Report everything: Witnesses are encouraged to share all details, even if they seem irrelevant.

2. Reinstate the context: Witnesses mentally return to the crime scene to recall the environment and emotions.

3. Reverse the order: Events are recalled in a different sequence to prevent reporting expectations.

4. Change perspective: Witnesses recall the incident from other people's viewpoints.

The Enhanced Cognitive Interview (ECI) builds upon these techniques by focusing on the social dynamics of the interaction between the interviewer and witness.

Highlight: The CI has shown effectiveness in increasing the amount of accurate information recalled by witnesses, with a meta-analysis by Köhnken et al. (1999) demonstrating an average 41% increase in accurate information compared to standard interviews.

Example: The 'pick and mix' approach allows law enforcement to adapt the CI to individual cases, increasing its flexibility and credibility.

However, the CI is not without limitations:

• It may lead to an increase in inaccurate information recalled.
• Some elements of the CI may be more effective than others.
• The process is time-consuming and requires special training.

Vocabulary: Context-dependent forgetting refers to the phenomenon where memories are more easily recalled in the same context in which they were formed.

Definition: A schema is a cognitive framework or concept that helps organize and interpret information, which can sometimes generate expectations that affect recall.

In conclusion, while the cognitive interview technique has shown promise in improving the accuracy of eyewitness testimony, it is essential for law enforcement to use it judiciously and consider its potential drawbacks.