EYEWITNESS PERFORMANCE IN COGNITIVE AND STRUCTURED INTERVIEWS

This paper addresses two methodological and theoretical questions rela ting to the Cognitive Interview (CI), which previous research has foun d to increase witness recall in interviews. (1) What are the effects o f the CI mnemonic techniques when communication techniques are held co nstant? (2) How do trained interviewers compare with untrained intervi ewers? In this study, witnesses (college students) viewed a short film clip of a shooting and were questioned by interviewers (research assi stants) trained in conducting the CI or a Structured Interview (SI) si milar to the CI except for the ''cognitive'' components-or by untraine d interviewers (UI). The CI and SI groups recalled significantly more correct information compared to the UI group. However they also report ed more errors and confabulated details. Theoretical and practical imp lications of the results are discussed in terms of precisely identifyi ng the CI facilitatory effects and consequent good practice in the for ensic setting.