1. Interviewing witnesses and suspects
Cognitive interviews

2. Big question: what are the best ways of interviewing witnesses and suspects?

3. Interviewing witnesses
‘Standard police interview’ - the methods used by police investigators without training.
‘Cognitive interview’ - a set of interview techniques based on psychological research, designed to increase the accuracy and detail given by witnesses.

4. Comparison of standard and cognitive interviews
As a group:
A routine for comparing:
Generate facts
Look for correspondences
Fill in the gaps
Individually:
Write at least one similarity and one difference out in full.

5. Standard v. cognitive interviews
Standard interview
Cognitive interview
Similar/
different?
Aim
Obtain accurate detail
Similar
Control
Police set agenda & do most of the talking
Witness is ‘handed control’ & does most of the talking
Different
Order of recall
Decided by police - focus on specifics
Decided by witness - free recall
Style of interaction
Frequent interruptions
Minimal interruptions
Aids to recall
No specific strategies
Cue reinstatement; ordering; perspective

6. Applying what we’ve learned
Write a letter to the Chief Constable, explaining why her police force should adopt cognitive interviewing.
You need to explain what CI is and how it differs from standard interviews.
Present an argument for its adoption - backed up with evidence.
Be honest about drawbacks but argue them out.
NB: it’s a formal letter, and the CC doesn’t necessarily have a background in Psychology.

7. Preparation
Reading and note-making - ethical interviewing (see Google Classroom).