Forensic Art & Interviewing

Cognitive Sketch Evidence 1.1

• Define eyewitness memory
• How does understanding the function of eyewitness memory assist investigators?
• Why accuracy is not an option
• Compare the sketch interview methodologies
• Standard Methodology–FBI
• Advanced Methodology–Macrisketch (SJPD, 1976 – 1995)
• Compositure Methodology–Zamorasketch (SJPD, 1996 – )
• Discover the issues of eyewitness misidentification
• Reliability of the eyewitness
• Interviewing without creating new memories
• Apply the cognitive interview principles to the sketch interview technique
• Rapport building; priming the eyewitness for success
• Narrative format
• Ask non-leading questions
• Elaborate on the reliability of cognitive sketch evidence
• Create leads where there is limited information
• Formalize the cognitive sketch evidence
• Scrutinizing the interview process maintains integrity of evidence
• REQUIRED TESTS (Take home tests; due next class meeting)
• Complete tests covering issues of memory contamination, and improve the reliability of sketch evidence. The tests will evaluate the following competencies:
• Eyewitness Memory contamination
• Distinguish between three methodologies in forensic art
• List the cognitive interview techniques used for cognitive sketch interviews
• Predict the reliability of sketch evidence under different sketch methodologies
• Propose a list of best practices for forensic artists to be used by law enforcement administrators
• Create a list of best practices for sketch artists to mitigate misidentification

The student will participate in one or more learning activities from proprietary audio/video presentations that demonstrate the Compositure© methodology for cognitive sketch evidence. At a minimum, each activity will address the following topics:

• Build Rapport
• Prime the eyewitness
• Construct a mindful approach to interviewing your eyewitness
• Elaborate on your mindful approach to the eyewitness narrative
• Offer an opinion on the reliability of the sketch evidence

Cognitive Sketch Evidence 1.2

• Define eyewitness memory
• How does understanding the function of eyewitness memory assist investigators?
• Why accuracy is not an option
• Compare the sketch interview methodologies
• Standard Methodology–FBI
• Advanced Methodology–Macrisketch (SJPD, 1976 – 1995)
• Compositure Methodology–Zamorasketch (SJPD, 1996 – )
• Discover the issues of eyewitness misidentification
• Reliability of the eyewitness
• Interviewing without creating new memories
• Apply the cognitive interview principles to the sketch interview technique
• Rapport building; priming the eyewitness for success
• Narrative format
• Ask non-leading questions
• Elaborate on the reliability of cognitive sketch evidence
• Create leads where there is limited information
• Formalize the cognitive sketch evidence
• Scrutinizing the interview process maintains integrity of evidence
• REQUIRED TESTS (Take home tests; due next class meeting)
• Complete tests covering issues of memory contamination, and improve the reliability of sketch evidence. The tests will evaluate the following competencies:
• Eyewitness Memory contamination
• Distinguish between three methodologies in forensic art
• List the cognitive interview techniques used for cognitive sketch interviews
• Predict the reliability of sketch evidence under different sketch methodologies
• Propose a list of best practices for forensic artists to be used by law enforcement administrators
• Create a list of best practices for sketch artists to mitigate misidentification’

The student will participate in one or more learning activities from proprietary audio/video presentations that demonstrate the Compositure© methodology for cognitive sketch evidence. At a minimum, each activity will address the following topics:

• Build Rapport
• Prime the eyewitness
• Construct a mindful approach to interviewing your eyewitness
• Elaborate on your mindful approach to the eyewitness narrative
• Offer an opinion on the reliability of the sketch evidence

Cognitive Sketch Evidence 1.3

• Choose your wardrobe wisely
• Mitigating the effects of memory contamination
• Identify with your role as forensic artist
• Plan your first impression
• Utilize mindfulness techniques
• Focus your attention before you meet your eyewitness
• Identify the triggers that will put you back on track
• Build a routine that will prepare you for anything
• Develop your monologue
• Organize your main points about the interview process
• Experiment with different openings and focus on brief rapport building
• Model your opening with confidence
• Create the sketch
• Formulate your strategy for gathering important information
• Minimize your efforts to look for accuracy and accept the essence of the information
• Improve your ability to be mindful of the narrative and visualize the culprit’s face
• Choose to be mindful of active listening techniques
• Plan to offer the eyewitness opportunities to restate more information without disrupting the flow
• Combine your ability for empathy with your integrity to gather on the facts
• Determine the changes suggested by the eyewitness
• Interpret the validity of the changes by assessing the information gathered from the recollection of the features and the event
• Measure the likeness of the sketch to the statements made by the eyewitness
• Decide whether the sketch is reliable or not
• REQUIRED TESTS (1130 – 1200)
• Complete tests covering issues of memory contamination, and improve the reliability of sketch evidence. The tests will evaluate the following competencies:
• Eyewitness Memory contamination
• Develop a sense for what the eyewitness actually remembers
• The accuracy of eyewitness memory

The student will participate in one or more learning activities from proprietary audio/video presentations that demonstrate the Compositure© methodology for cognitive sketch evidence. At a minimum, each activity will address the following topics:

• Construct a mindful approach to interviewing your eyewitness
• Elaborate on your mindful approach to the eyewitness narrative
• Discuss the process and what elements were difficult to command