Title

Cognitive Interviewing for Accident Investigators

Description

Day 1:  Cognitive Interviewing for Accident Investigators - BASIC
This session provides the foundational knowledge and skills needed to conduct interviews of participants in, and witnesses to, transportation incidents or accidents. Emphasis will be on the cognitive interviewing technique to maximize the amount and quality of information obtained during investigative interviews.

Day 2:  Cognitive Interviewing for Accident Investigators - ADVANCED
This session will focus on refining the CI techniques and will provide the participant with numerous opportunities to gain confidence using the CI method through interactive discussion, demonstrations and exercises.

ID Code

IM401S

Dates and Tuition

February 23-24, 2010
$931 for all applications and payment received by January 23, 2010
$1,024 for all applications with payment received January 24, 2010 to February 17, 2010
$1,074 for all applications submitted between February 18, 2010 and 12:00 pm (noon) ET on February 22, 2010
$50 processing fee will be added to tuitions for all offline applications.   All payments must be received by February 22, 2010 or admission will be denied.

October 4-5, 2010
$931 for all applications and payment received by September 4, 2010
$1,024 for all applications with payment received September 5, 2010 to September 28, 2010
$1,074 for all applications submitted between September 29, 2010 and 12:00 pm (noon) ET on October 3, 2010
$50 processing fee will be added to tuitions for all offline applications.  All payments must be received by October 3, 2010 or admission will be denied.

Times

9:00 am - 4:30 pm

Location

NTSB Training Center • 45065 Riverside Parkway • Ashburn, Virginia 20147

Status

OPEN. Applications are now being accepted.

Apply to Attend

February 23-24, 2010

October 4-5, 2010

CEUs

1.4

Overview

• Theories of memory and recall
• Influences on eyewitness memory
• Logistical aspects of interviewing in transportation accident investigations
• Interviewer techniques to enhance interviewee recall
• Using interview information in accident investigations
• NTSB accident investigation case studies
• Theories of memory and recall - ADVANCED
• Influences on eyewitness memory - ADVANCED
• Interviewer techniques to enhance interviewee recall – ADVANCED
• Using interview information in accident investigations – ADVANCED
• NTSB accident investigation case studies (CON’T)

Performance Results

Upon completion of this course the participant will be able to:

• Use the Cognitive Interview (CI) method to obtain more accurate and complete information from eyewitnesses and critical personnel in accident investigations
• Explain how the social dynamics in an interview can affect its outcome
• Identify various errors of perception and memory
• Employ various techniques to enhance a witness’ recall of an event
• Brief colleagues about the interview process and its impact on the outcome of an investigation

Comments from course participants (PDF)

Instructor

Ronald P. Fisher, Ph.D. is a professor of psychology at Florida International University where he has served as a faculty member since 1978. He is on the editorial board of the journal, Memory and Cognition, has authored or co-authored over 40 research articles, numerous book chapters and one book. He has also advised both local and national government agencies on techniques to enhance the quality of interviewing.
Q & A with Ron Fisher on why the CI is more effective than traditional interviewing methods (PDF)

Who May Attend

• Those who may be involved in transportation accident investigations
• Those who may be required to conduct interviews as part of any type of investigation
• Those with an interest in the methodology of obtaining and applying critical data in a transportation accident investigation
• Members of the academic community attending for research purposes (on a space-available basis)

Accommodations

Area hotels and restaurants

Airports

Washington Dulles International (IAD): 10 miles
Washington Ronald Reagan National (DCA): 30 miles
Baltimore/Washington International (BWI): 60 miles

More Information