INTERVIEWER BEHAVIOR IN INVESTIGATIVE INTERVIEWS

Children (eight and nine years) viewed a magic show in small groups an d were subsequently interviewed 2 days after the event, using either t he Cognitive Interview (CI) or a Structured Interview (SI) technique ( Time 1). After 12 days the children were re-interviewed (Time 2). Anot her group was interviewed only at Time 2. The paper examines individua l differences in interviewers' questioning style, their use of the CI/ SI techniques and the way such usage relates to witness performance in an interview. It was found that where the CI techniques were used con sistently and the interviewers probed extensively using open and close d questions. More correct and incorrect information was elicited at Ti me 1. Implications for police training and future research on investig ative interviewing are considered.