Science Based Interviewing of Witnesses

Your answer should begin with an overview of the cognitive interview, how it was developed and why followed by a clear description of the steps of the cognitive interview. Your answer should focus on the ways in which the cognitive interview has been shown to impact the accuracy and reliability of eyewitness memory.

Explain HOW the cognitive interview interacts with memory to enhance accuracy and completeness of memory reports.

Finally, conclude your answer with a sentence or two about your impressions of this interviewing technique – is it something you were already aware of? Is it something which you hadn’t considered before? Did the impact on the accuracy and completeness of eyewitness memory surprise you?