Abstract
PurposeForensic interviewers often face witnesses who are unwilling to cooperate with the investigation. In this experimental study, we examined the extent to which cooperativeness instructions affect information disclosure in a witness investigative interview.MethodsOne hundred and thirty‐six participants watched a recorded mock‐crime and were interviewed twice as mock‐witnesses. They were randomly assigned to one of four conditions instructing different levels of cooperativeness: Control (no instructions), Cooperation, No Cooperation, and No Cooperation plus Cooperation. The cooperativeness instructions aimed to influence how participants’ perceived the costs and benefits of cooperation. We predicted that Cooperation and No Cooperation instructions would increase and decrease information disclosure and accuracy, respectively.ResultsWe found decreased information disclosure and, to a lesser extent, accuracy in the No Cooperation and No Cooperation plus Cooperation conditions. In a second interview, the shift of instructions from No Cooperation to Cooperation led to a limited increase of information disclosure at no cost of accuracy. Cooperativeness instructions partially influenced the communication strategies participants used to disclose or withhold information.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate the detrimental effects of uncooperativeness on information disclosure and, to a lesser extent, the accuracy of witness statements. We discuss the implications of a lack of witness cooperation and the importance of gaining witness cooperation to facilitate information disclosure in investigative interviews.
Highlights
IntroductionWitnesses who have been intimidated are averse to cooperate with the police (Maynard, 1994)
We argue that interview outcomes depend on the internal motivation of the witness to engage and cooperate with the interviewer, which determine the quality of witness statements
Providing partial support for hypothesis 1b, we found that cooperativeness instructions regulated to a small extent the proportion of accurate information disclosed during the first interview
Summary
Witnesses who have been intimidated are averse to cooperate with the police (Maynard, 1994) Beyond these labels and legal categories, witnesses’ lack of motivation to cooperate with police is what characterizes uncooperative witnesses. Their cooperativeness (or lack thereof) is reflected in their behaviour as witnesses, which in the context of an investigative interview, is their willingness to disclose detailed and accurate information. We propose to extend the cost–benefit analysis model for reporting crime by witnesses (Kidd, 1979), to the analysis of witnesses’ decision to disclose information in investigative interviews. The decision of a witness to disclose information is motivated by the perceived high benefits (and the low costs) associated with cooperating with the interviewer. A subjective evaluation of high costs with no perceived benefits can lead to the decision of a witness to not cooperate with the interviewer, negatively affecting information disclosure
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
