Summary
Witness interviewing practices were examined
in a sample of interviews ('N' = 80) from Canadian police officers.
Specifically, interviews were analyzed to determine whether (and to
what extent) a cognitive interviewing course improved officers'
interviewing practices. Interviews conducted by trained investigators
generally contained better interviewing behaviours than those conducted
by un-trained investigators. Most importantly, trained investigators
displayed approximately double the amount of engage and explain
behaviours than those who were un-trained. In addition, trained
investigators asked more appropriate question types, and fewer
inappropriate questions than investigators who were un-trained. The
implications for implementing this cognitive interview training are
discussed.