The cognitive interview technique is a method of questioning that aims to enhance the memory and recall of witnesses and victims of a crime, but it also has additional applications. It was developed by Geiselman et al. (1985) as an alternative to the standard police interview, based on psychological research into how memory works. It has been applied in various domains, such as law enforcement, intelligence, and forensic psychology.

Our memories are not isolated and fixed, but rather interconnected and dynamic. This means that we can recall them through different ways of thinking. The cognitive interview uses this concept to help us remember more by applying various retrieval methods.

The cognitive interview technique has been shown to increase the amount and accuracy of information retrieved from witnesses, compared to the standard interview, without increasing errors or confabulations. However, it also requires more time and training to conduct effectively. The technique is widely used by various investigative services and has been revised and improved over time.

Hypnosis is another method that has been used to try to improve eyewitness memory by inducing a state of heightened suggestibility and relaxation. However, hypnosis has been shown to be unreliable and inaccurate, as it can increase the amount of false or distorted information that witnesses report. Hypnosis also has legal limitations, as hypnotically induced evidence is often not admissible in court.

Therefore, the cognitive interview technique has several advantages over hypnosis for enhancing eyewitness recall. It is more effective, more reliable, more ethical, and more acceptable in legal settings. The cognitive interview technique can help witnesses retrieve more relevant and accurate information about a crime scene without compromising their credibility or integrity.¹

One of the potential applications of the cognitive interview technique is in military settings, where it can be used to elicit reliable and valid information from sources, such as detainees, informants, or defectors. The cognitive interview can help overcome barriers such as language, culture, stress, or deception that may affect the quality and quantity of information obtained from sources. The cognitive interview can also help establish rapport and trust with sources, which can facilitate cooperation and disclosure. The cognitive interview can be a valuable tool for military personnel who are involved in interrogation, debriefing, or negotiation tasks.

The cognitive interview technique can also be used by individuals who want to improve their own memory for personal or professional purposes. For example, one can use the cognitive interview technique to remember important details of a meeting, a lecture, a conversation, or an event. By applying the cognitive interview technique methods, one can enhance their memory performance and reduce forgetting.

Stages of Cognitive Interview Technique

The cognitive interview technique consists of four main stages:

1. Mental reinstatement of context:
The interviewer asks the person to mentally recreate the situation and context of the event they are trying to remember. This can include asking them to imagine the physical environment, the people involved, their emotions, and their thoughts at the time. This stage helps to activate context-dependent memories and cues that can trigger more details.

2. Recall events in different order:
The interviewer asks the person to recall the event in a different chronological order than the usual one. For example, they can ask them to start from the end and work backwards, or from the middle and go both ways. This stage helps to prevent the person from relying on their expectations or schemas, which can lead to distortions or omissions. It also helps to access different memory pathways and associations.

3. Report everything:
The interviewer asks the person to report every detail they can remember, even if they think it is irrelevant, trivial, or incomplete. This stage helps to elicit more information that might be important or useful later on. It also helps to avoid filtering or editing the person’s memory based on their assumptions or judgments.

4. Describe events from different perspectives:
The interviewer asks the person to describe the event from different perspectives, such as the point of view of someone else who was present or involved, from a bird’s eye view, or from a different location. For example, they can ask them to imagine what another witness, a victim, or a perpetrator might have seen, heard, felt, or thought. This stage helps to reduce the person’s bias or interference from their own perspective. It also helps to stimulate more memories and details by activating different cognitive processes.’

Supplementary Techniques:

These techniques are used to elicit specific items from the narrative that the participant provides about what they witnessed. These techniques are questions posed to the interviewee that may jog their memory for details such as physical appearance (‘Did the person remind you of anyone you know?’), objects (‘Did they appear to be heavy to carry?’), or speech characteristics (‘Were any unusual words or foreign words used?’).

Using these techniques, the interviewer can help the interviewee recall more information about the event without influencing their responses with leading or closed-ended questions Supplementary techniques are based on the assumption that memory traces are complex and contain various kinds of information that can be accessed by different cues.

Enhanced Cognitive Interview

The cognitive interview was enhanced in the 90s to incorporates social and communication skills, such as rapport building, active listening, and appropriate questioning to create a supportive and cooperative interview environment. The enhanced cognitive interview has been shown to improve the recall performance of both adults and children, as well as across different types of crimes and situations.

1. Introduction:
The interviewer introduces themselves and explains the purpose of the interview to the subject. They also stress the importance of giving truthful and accurate answers to the questions. This helps the subject know what to expect and get ready for the interview.

2. Rapport building:
The interviewer tries to establish a comfortable and friendly atmosphere with the subject and find some common ground that can lead to a productive conversation. For example, if the person was a witness or a victim of a crime, the interviewer may show empathy and genuine interest in their personal story or the event. The basics of rapport building, such as being respectful, having a relaxed body language, using nonverball clues to encourage the interviewee, such as nodding, smiling or leaning forward, and making eye contact, are especially important in a cognitive interview because the method works best when both parties cooperate.

3. Open-ended interview:
The next stage is the actual interview. Cognitive interviews are interactive, meaning they involve talking and asking follow-up questions to get more information. To get the most reliable answers, let the subject speak freely and in detail when they answer a question. Avoid interrupting them and try not to ask leading questions that may influence their answers. Instead, ask probing questions that make them repeat their answers in reverse order to clear up any confusion. Try to keep your body language calm throughout the interview to encourage the participant and let them know they’re doing well.

4. Appreciation:
At the end of the interview, thank the person for their time and cooperation. Before you conclude, ask if the person has any questions or additional information to share. You can also let them know what the next step in the interview process is.

Summary

The cognitive interview technique technique has several advantages over traditional interviewing methods. It can improve the quantity and quality of information obtained from witnesses and victims, as well as reduce errors and inconsistencies. It can also increase the confidence and cooperation of the interviewee, as well as reduce stress and trauma. The cognitive interview technique is a valuable tool for those who need to obtain accurate and detailed information from witnesses and victims. However, it also requires training, practice, and skill from the interviewer to apply it effectively.

Endnote

1. Geiselman, R. E., Fisher, R. P., MacKinnon, D. P., & Holland, H. L. (1985). Eyewitness memory enhancement in the police interview: Cognitive retrieval mnemonics versus hypnosis. Journal of Applied Psychology, 70(2), 401–412. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.70.2.401

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