Background Information Cognitive Interviewing

What it does for you

Cognitive means our mental processes: 'All those ways in which knowledge of the world is attained, retained and used" It is about memory and perception.

Witness evidence is an integral and vital element of all investigations whether criminal or internal, where the quality of information obtained can make a significant difference to the end result. Higher quantities and quality of information can be obtained by this method instead of the old question and answer-Standard Interview. Researchers have shown that in excess of 50% more information can be obtained, but practitioners know that is far in excess of this and also extremely accurate.

A Cognitive Interviewing course provides a comprehensive range of knowledge and skills vital to any interviewer. It assists interviewers to understand the processes of memory, the interviewee's abilities, memory retrieval, structure of an interview and of course practice in a safe environment.

History

The Cognitive Interview was originally developed in the U.S.A. by psychology Professor R. Fisher and Professor E. Guiselman originally for Police Officers, but was quickly suitable for any investigator required to interview witnesses, victims and compliant suspects.

Based upon the processes of how a person's memory works, rather than on what an interviewer seeks. It is highly effective in getting detail of events that the witness would not normally have remembered. It uses the witnesses recall based on the key triggers to memory by re-creating in the mind of the witness the psychological and physical context in which the event was observed.

Reliability

The process has been subjected to rigorous academic scrutiny and development in the U.K. and is widely used within the public and private sectors. It is essential when interviewing compliant witnesses and victims of any crime or incident including fraud, where detail is always vital.

The Course

Our Cognitive Interviewing Skills Trainer is one of the most qualified trainers in the UK, having been trained as an interviewer and trainer in the US by the originator of the technique, and the foremost experts in the UK also.

The cognitive interviewing course is suitable for anyone engaged in interviewing co-operative witnesses, victims and suspects of criminal or fraudulent activities. Anyone can be taught to use it effectively.

The process not only gains significantly more information it avoids inaccuracies and legal loopholes of suggestibility by the interviewer. It is ethical, effective, flexible and adaptable, it raises the confidence levels of the witness and greatly increases their reliability when giving evidence.

The process not only gains significantly more information it avoids inaccuracies and legal loopholes of suggestibility by the interviewer, as it is ethical, effective, flexible and adaptable.

It raises the confidence levels of the witness and greatly increases their reliability when giving evidence.