Overview for the Examination of Reliable Cognitive Evidence Collected from Law Enforcement Interview Practitioners Study
Study objectives
The Examination of Reliable Cognitive Evidence (ERCE) is focused on measuring the interview practitioner’s ability to retrieve reliable cognitive evidence from eyewitness interviews. The collection of eyewitness interview data allows the agency to consider the amount of undesirable variability present in the judgments made by interview practitioners, as they pursue leads for criminal investigations.
Introduction
While many law enforcement agencies gather valuable data about crime trends to implement crime reduction strategies, there are even less that scrutinize their collection of reliable eyewitness statements. And yet, everyday investigators, police officers, and dispatchers interview eyewitnesses to establish reliable leads to identify a culprit or understand how an event transpired. The information they gather is cognitive evidence and when it is not processed properly it may jeopardize the integrity of an investigation and lead to undesirable consequences. These outcomes can include misidentifications of innocent subjects, wasting valuable resources on uncorroborated leads, and significant delays in the apprehension of dangerous suspects. This research study allows agencies to measure the effectiveness of interview practitioners to retrieve cognitive evidence from eyewitness interviews, and begin to establish an evidence-based investigative interview framework.
Analysis and Assessment of Cognitive Evidence Collection
Study Timelines
Demographics of participants and establishing guidelines (15 - 30 days)
Identify study participants
Participants complete password-protected ERCE Participant Form
Establish criteria for recording eyewitness interviews.
Establish guidelines for recording interviews.
Identify collection standards for eyewitness interview data (EWID). Body Worn Cameras (BWC) or other rudimentary audio recording devices.
Processing of EWID (90 - 120 days)
Interview transcripts
Receive recordings of eyewitness interviews (EWI) in digital or audio format from participants.
De-identify recordings of EWI and submit transcripts for analysis (upload anonymized transcripts within 14 days of collection).
Categorize topics.
Identify question types based on investigative interview framework.
Run EWID through diagnostic instrument.
Evaluation of Investigative Interview Framework (45 - 60 days)
Analysis and assessment of cognitive evidence collection.
Submit executive report with findings and recommendations.
Overview of the Efficacy of Eyewitness Interviews Project : MIM Implementation and Evaluation
Analysis and Assessment of Cognitive Evidence Collection (180 days)
Introduction and implementation of The Mindful Interview Method (5-day workshops, up to 60 days*)
Participants randomly assigned by the agency attend workshop about the Mindful Interview Method.
Topics covered: malleability of eyewitness memory, scrutinizing eyewitness interviews that are less mindful, embracing MIM principles and standards.
Practice MIM.
Assessment of Investigative interview Framework (90 days*)
Randomly assign participants into groups for reliability of cognitive evidence audit (MIM and non-MIM).
Participants will be asked to conduct eyewitness interviews during their normal shifts.
Receive EWIs in digital or audio format from participants.
De-identify recordings of EWI and submit transcripts for analysis (upload anonymized transcripts within 14 days of collection).
Categorize topics.
Analysis and assessment of cognitive evidence collection.
Evaluation of Investigative Interview Framework (45days*)
Analysis and assessment of cognitive evidence collection.
Submit executive report with findings and recommendations.
* The number of participants enrolled in the Mindful Interview Method training course will determine the number of days required for implementation.
For more information about the examination of reliable cognitive evidence, email: erce-programs@mindfulinterviews.com