Cognitive Interviewing
Highlights
Rapport
Model-statement
Non-coercive
Officer involved
Memory recall
Field validated
Ethical
Context reinstatement
Report everything
Trauma-informed
Reverse order
Research-based
Change perspective
Field-validated
Proven!
The Cognitive Interview (CI) is the original "trauma-informed" interview and is foundational in other interviewing protocols such as PEACE and Science-Based Interviewing. The cognitive interview was originally developed by R. Edward Geiselman Ph.D. &; Ronald P. Fisher Ph.D. as an innovative technique for questioning witnesses and victims of crime. If your focus is to become a skilled interviewer, you must learn the Cognitive Interview.
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This course is taught as both a stand-alone 2-day course and part of our 4-day science-based interviewing course. It is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the CI foundations and techniques, a method that has been empirically proven in hundreds of studies from around the world for gathering accurate and reliable information from witnesses, persons of interest, and victims. Through a combination of lectures, case studies, one on one coaching, and practical exercises, students will learn the principles and techniques of the Cognitive Interview and how to apply them in real-world contexts.
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The course will cover the theoretical underpinnings of the cognitive interview, including memory processes, perception, and attention. More importantly, students will also learn how to apply these foundations with the cognitive interview technique, including strategies for building rapport, preparing your interview space, and promoting recall.
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Throughout the course, students will have the opportunity to practice their skills through role-playing exercises and mock interviews. They will receive feedback and guidance from experienced instructors who will provide practical tips and strategies for optimizing the cognitive interview process for each student.
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Upon completion of the course, students will have the skills and knowledge needed to conduct effective cognitive interviews that gather accurate and reliable information. They will be equipped with the confidence and expertise needed to navigate the complexities of the Cognitive Interview process and make informed decisions based on the information gathered.