Describe the Cognitive Interview. (6 marks).

The cognitive interview is an interview technique used in order to aid memory and improve accuracy of eye witness statements. The interview consists of four aspects: 'recall everything', 'reverse the order', 'change perspective' and 'reinstate the context'. The first component, 'recall everything', involves the interviewer asking the witness to record every detail of the incident in question, regardless of how minor it may seem, in order to create a more accurate picture of the incident. Secondly, 'reverse the order' entails the witness recalling the incident in reverse order (starting with the end of the incident) which reduces the chance of false reporting. The technique 'change perspective' involves the witness reporting the incident from somebody else's viewpoint which aims to trigger more memories of the incident from the witness and give a more complete explanation of what happened to the interviewer. Lastly, the witness is asked to 'reinstate the context' and mentally return back to the incident which would allow a more complete recall of what happened, while simultaneously providing environmental and personal cues to trigger memory, thus promoting higher recall accuracy.
This technique has proved to be hugely efficient in improving the accuracy of eye witness statements, and is said to be significantly more effective than the standard police interview.