The Cognitive Interview

The Cognitive Interview

1. Report Everything

   • Witness is asked to recount every detail of the event, including what may be thought of as irrelevant

2. Mental Reinstatement of Original Context

   • Witness is asked to mentally recreate the environment and contacts from the event

3. Changing the Order

   • The interviewer tries alternative ways through the time of the incident
     • Eg starting at the end

4. Changing the Perspective

   • Witness is asked to recall the event from a different perspective
     • Eg how would it have appeared to other witnesses present?