The Cognitive Interview AO3

Question 1

✅ What did Geiselman et al. (1985) discover about the effectiveness of the Cognitive Interview compared to standard police interviews?

Answer 1

Geiselman et al. (1985) found that the Cognitive Interview produced significantly more accurate and detailed memories than the standard police interview. This suggests that the CI is an effective method for enhancing eyewitness recall.

Question 2

✅How does Geiselman and Fisher’s (1997) follow-up study further support the Cognitive Interview?

Answer 2

They found that the CI is most effective when used shortly after an incident, demonstrating the importance of timing in enhancing recall accuracy. This shows the CI’s strength in gathering accurate information quickly.

Question 3

❌ What did Kohnken et al. (1999) discover about the accuracy of information obtained using the Cognitive Interview?

Answer 3

Kohnken et al. (1999) conducted a meta-analysis of 55 studies and found that while the CI increased accurate information by 81%, it also led to a 61% increase in inaccurate information. This suggests that although the CI is effective, it also produces a significant amount of false details.

Question 4

❌ Why is the Cognitive Interview considered time-consuming and resource-intensive?

Answer 4

Conducting a CI requires time to build rapport with witnesses and properly train officers in the technique. This makes it less practical in time-limited or resource-limited situations.