The Enhanced Cognitive Interview: A study on the efficacy of shortened variants and single techniques

Abstract

The superiority of the Enhanced Cognitive Interview (ECI) over standard police interview protocols has been strongly supported. Recently, some authors have underlined the need to develop shorter versions of the ECI appealing for time-critical situations. There is some evidence that disregarding change order and change perspectives techniques could yield a brief but still efficient version of ECI. The present study aimed to examine some shortened versions of the ECI in comparison with the full ECI. One hundred participants watched a video of a crime and were interviewed with one of the five interviewing procedure: complete ECI, three shortened ECIs, and Structured Interview. Full ECI elicited a greater amount of correct information compared to the other interviews, with the exception of the shortened version that omitted change order and change perspectives techniques. Theoretical and applicative implications are discussed.

Keywords:

• Cognitive interview
• Eyewitness
• Interview procedures
• Mnemonics
• Recall