NCJ Number
128325
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 58 Issue: 2 Dated: (February 1991) Pages: 28,30,31,34
Date Published
1991
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The cognitive interview technique originally developed by Geiselman and Fisher and expanded by the Federal law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia is superior to standard interviewing techniques because it significantly increases the amount of accurate information obtained from victims and witnesses and also helps them to effectively work through their experience and positive recovery.
Abstract
The process uses a collection of memory-jogging techniques that are used in step-by-step procedures that help victims and witnesses retrieve and elaborate on information stored in the memory. A major goal of the cognitive interview is to mentally reconstruct the physical and psychological environment of the original event based on the feelings of the victim or witness. Its four steps include reconstructing the circumstances, reporting everything, recalling the events in a different order, and changing the perspective to that of another person present or nearby. Questions about appearance, names, numbers, speech, and conversations should follow the narrative. In addition, victims should be referred to victim assistance programs.