Eyewitness Testimony and Interview Techniques

The video tutorial discusses the cognitive interview technique, focusing on contextual reinstatement to aid witnesses and victims in recalling events. It emphasizes the need for structured police questioning, highlighting the use of open questions to encourage free recall and closed questions for specific details. The tutorial also warns of the risks of contamination in eyewitness testimony, stressing the importance of careful questioning to ensure justice.

What is the primary purpose of contextual reinstatement in cognitive interviews?

• To speed up the interview process

• To help witnesses recall events

• To intimidate the suspect

• To confuse the witness

What was the main event described in the crime scene?

• A house burglary

• A car traveling at great speed

• A street fight

• A bank heist

What is the next phase after contextual reinstatement in an interview?

• Reviewing the evidence

• Taking a break

• Structured police questioning

• Closing the interview

Why are open questions important in interviews?

• They limit the witness's response

• They encourage free recall

• They confuse the witness

• They provide yes or no answers

What is the best type of question to open up an interviewee's response?

• Yes or no question

• Closed question

• Multiple-choice question

• Open question

What is a characteristic of closed questions?

• They allow for detailed narratives

• They are open-ended

• They prompt specific details

• They are not used in interviews

What type of question is used to gather more specific details?

• Rhetorical question

• Closed question

• Leading question

• Open question

What is a potential risk when gathering evidence from an eyewitness?

• Enhancing memory accuracy

• Improving witness confidence

• Contamination of evidence

• Speeding up the investigation

What can affect an eyewitness's recall during an interview?

• The location of the interview

• The time of day

• The police officer's words

• The weather

What is a consequence of contamination in eyewitness evidence?

• Improved accuracy

• Faster case resolution

• Dire consequences for justice

• Increased witness confidence