Improving Eyewitness Testimony With the Cognitive Interview (From Adult Eyewitness Testimony: Current Trends and Developments, P 245-269, 1994, David Frank Ross, et al, eds. -- See NCJ-159543)

• NCJ Number: 159555
• Author(s): R P Fisher; M R McCauley; R E Geiselman
• Date Published: 1994
• Length: 25 pages
• Grant Number(s): 83-IJ-CX-0025; 85-IJ-CX-0053; SES-8911146
• Sponsoring Agency: National Science Foundation; National Institute of Justice (NIJ); US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Sale Source: Cambridge University Press
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Despite the obvious importance of eyewitness evidence, police receive inadequate training in the conduct of effective interviews with cooperative eyewitnesses.

Abstract

Police officers typically learn to conduct eyewitness interviews by either observing, emulating the style of senior police officers, or using trial and error methods. Cognitive interview techniques represent a useful approach when police officers interview eyewitnesses, but research in developing the cognitive interview is still in its infancy. The cognitive interview can enhance memory but only in certain conditions. More research is needed to refine cognitive interview techniques and to expand and define their domain of effectiveness. Tests involving the cognitive interview and practical applications of cognitive interview techniques are noted, as well as legal challenges to the use of the cognitive interview in enhancing eyewitness recollection. 52 references and 3 tables