Conclusions
Historically, little training has been available for investigators on interviewing witnesses and victims, but the critiques of both laboratory and field interviews indicate that current standard interview techniques can be improved considerably through training. The results of each of the studies reported here confirm that cognitive interviewing reliably enhances the completeness of a witness's recollection, and without increasing the number of incorrect or confabulated bits of information generated. Based on the examination of several interviews, a revision of the original Cognitive Interview was made, which was found further to enhance the quality of witness reports. The procedures are easy to learn and can be readily adopted in routine police interview procedures. In fact, the Cognitive Interview currently is in use as standard training at several police departments and at other law enforcement agencies. Further information regarding the Cognitive Interview technique and training programs for investigators can be obtained from either of the authors.
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References
Fisher, R.P., Geiselman, R.E., Raymond, D.S., Jurkevich, L.M. &Warhaftig, M.L. (1987). “Enhancing enhanced eyewitness memory: Refining the cognitive interview.”Journal of Police Science and Administration, 15, 291–297.
Geiselman, R.E., Fisher, R.P., MacKinnon, D.P., &Holland, H.L. (1985). “Eyewiness memory enhancement in police interview: Cognitive retrieval mnemonics versus hypnosis.”Journal of Applied Psychology, 70, 401. 412.
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Edward Geiselman, R., Fisher, R.P. The cognitive interview: An innovative technique for questioning witnesses of crime. JPCP 4, 2–5 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02806548
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02806548