Unlocking the Secrets: Evidence Based Investigative Interviewing Applying Cognitive Principles

When it comes to solving crimes and obtaining crucial information, investigative interviewing plays a crucial role. However, traditional interviewing techniques may not always yield accurate and reliable information. To enhance investigative outcomes, evidence-based interviewing techniques that apply cognitive principles have emerged as a game-changer in the field of law enforcement and forensic psychology.

The Power of Evidence-Based Investigative Interviewing

Evidence-based investigative interviewing harnesses the power of cognitive science to extract the most reliable and accurate information from witnesses, victims, and suspects. By understanding how memory works, how people encode and retrieve information, and the impact of psychological factors on recall, investigators can tailor their techniques to effectively elicit valuable information.

Evidence-based Investigative Interviewing: Applying Cognitive Principles

by Marek Kohn (1st Edition, Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	21182 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	282 pages

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The Cognitive Principles Behind the Technique

Effective evidence-based investigative interviewing techniques are built on several cognitive principles:

1. Memory Retrieval: Understanding how memory retrieval works is essential in obtaining reliable information. Investigators must employ techniques that promote accurate recall by using open-ended questions, minimizing suggestive cues, and avoiding leading questions.
2. Encoding Specificity: Asking witnesses to mentally recreate the context in which an event occurred can enhance their memory recall. Encouraging them to remember sensory details and emotions associated with the event can lead to more accurate and detailed accounts.
3. Social Influence: Social factors can significantly impact the accuracy of information obtained during an interview. Investigators must be aware of potential biases, such as misinformation and confirmation biases, and employ techniques to mitigate their influence.
4. Emotional Factors: Emotions can either enhance or impair memory recall. Investigators need to create a supportive and comfortable environment where witnesses feel safe to disclose information, while also considering the potential impact of emotional states on their recall abilities.

Techniques Used in Evidence-Based Investigative Interviewing

Several techniques are employed in evidence-based investigative interviewing:

• Cognitive Interview: This technique uses the principles of memory retrieval and encourages witnesses to mentally reinstate the context and details of the event. It aims to enhance recall accuracy and minimize errors caused by misinformation or suggestive questioning.
• Conversation Management: Interviewers are trained to effectively manage conversations, fostering a cooperative environment with open communication. Active listening and building rapport are crucial for gaining the trust of witnesses and suspects.
• Strategic Questioning: By using open-ended questions and avoiding leading or suggestive ones, investigators can elicit detailed and accurate information. Strategic questioning techniques also consider the individual's memory and cognitive abilities, tailoring the interview for optimal recall.
• Adapting to Emotional States: Depending on the emotional state of the interviewee, investigators must adapt their approach. Empathy and understanding can help witnesses overcome emotional barriers and provide clearer information.

Benefits and Real-World Applications

The application of evidence-based investigative interviewing techniques has brought several benefits to law enforcement agencies and legal proceedings:

1. Increase in Accurate Information: By leveraging cognitive principles, investigators can obtain more accurate and reliable information, leading to higher success rates in solving crimes and identifying perpetrators.
2. Reduced False Confessions: Traditional interview techniques sometimes lead to false confessions. Employing evidence-based interviewing greatly reduces the risk of false confessions, ensuring the integrity of justice systems.
3. Enhanced Witness Credibility: Evidence-based interviewing techniques increase the credibility of witnesses in court, as their accurate recall and detailed accounts add weight to the evidence presented.
4. Improved Professional Standards: By embracing evidence-based techniques, law enforcement agencies can demonstrate their commitment to adopting current research and best practices. This leads to an overall improvement in professional standards within the field.

Evidence-based investigative interviewing techniques, grounded in cognitive principles, are revolutionizing the way investigations are conducted. By understanding how memory works, leveraging contextual factors, and adapting to emotional states, investigators can obtain more reliable, accurate, and detailed information from witnesses, victims, and suspects. The application of these techniques not only enhances investigative outcomes but also ensures the integrity of the justice system.

Evidence-based Investigative Interviewing: Applying Cognitive Principles

by Marek Kohn (1st Edition, Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	21182 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	282 pages

FREE

For as long as we have been researching human memory, psychologists have been investigating how people remember and forget. This research is regularly drawn upon in our legal systems. Historically, we have relied upon eyewitness memory to help judge responsibility and adjudicate truth, but memory is malleable, prone to error, and susceptible to bias. Even confident eyewitnesses make mistakes, and even accurate witnesses sometimes find their testimony subjected to harsh scrutiny.

Emerging from this environment, the Cognitive Interview (CI) became a means of assisting cooperative witnesses with recalling more information without sacrificing accuracy. First used by police interviewing adult witnesses, it is now used with many populations in many contexts, including public health, accident reconstruction, and the interrogation of terror suspects. Evidence-Based Investigative Interviewing reviews the application of cognitive research to investigative interviewing, revealing how principles of cognition, memory, and social dynamics may increase the accuracy of eyewitness testimony. It provides evidence-based applications for investigators beyond the forensic domain in areas such as eyewitness identification, detecting deception, and interviewing children.

Drawing together the work of thirty-three authors across both the academic and practice communities, this comprehensive collection is essential reading for researchers in psychology, forensics, and disciplines such as epidemiology and gerontology.