Interview Techniques & Strategies Flashcards
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Read the first 7 Interview Techniques & Strategies flashcards as text
In the Cognitive Interview model, what is the 'mental reinstatement of context' technique designed to accomplish?
Answer: Enhance memory retrieval by mentally returning the subject to the original context
Mental reinstatement of context leverages environmental and psychological state cues to improve memory recall accuracy.
Which of the following best describes the 'funnel approach' in forensic interviewing?
Answer: Starting with broad, open-ended questions and progressively narrowing to specific details
The funnel approach moves from broad open questions to specific closed questions, maximizing narrative disclosure before introducing details.
What is a key risk of using leading questions during a forensic interview with a child witness?
Answer: Leading questions may contaminate the child's memory and produce false disclosures
Children are particularly susceptible to suggestion, and leading questions can implant false memories that contaminate forensic evidence.
What is the purpose of establishing 'ground rules' at the beginning of a forensic interview?
Answer: To set behavioral expectations and empower the subject to correct the interviewer or say they don't know
Ground rules reduce suggestibility and empower witnesses to be accurate by clarifying that it is acceptable to say 'I don't know' or 'I don't understand.'
Which scenario best illustrates the 'foot-in-the-door' technique applied in forensic interviewing?
Answer: Beginning with small, easily agreed-upon facts before moving to more significant disclosures
The foot-in-the-door technique builds compliance incrementally, starting with small agreements that make larger disclosures more likely.
During an interview, a subject suddenly becomes very cooperative and eager to please. This behavioral shift most likely warrants:
Answer: Increased scrutiny, as sudden compliance may indicate a deceptive strategy
Sudden unexpected cooperation can be a deceptive strategy where subjects attempt to control the interview narrative by appearing forthcoming.
What does 'paralinguistic communication' encompass in a forensic interview setting?
Answer: Verbal elements beyond word content, including tone, pace, pitch, and hesitations
Paralinguistic cues include vocal elements like tone, pitch, and speech rate that convey meaning beyond the literal words spoken.