COGNITIVE INTERVIEWS! Eyewitnesses and Victims- Doylestown, PA

Cognitive Interviewing: Enhancing Eyewitness and Victim Interviews

Most law enforcement officers and investigators receive training in suspect interrogation; however, far fewer receive formal instruction in conducting effective eyewitness and victim interviews. Every call and every case begins with a victim or witness—and their voice is often the key to solving the crime.

This course introduces Cognitive Interviewing (CI), a proven, research-based interviewing method that helps officers obtain more accurate, detailed, and reliable information from witnesses and victims. These techniques are a game-changer for investigators, improving case outcomes while maintaining professionalism and ethical standards.

Participants will learn how cognitive strategies enhance memory recall, reduce contamination of statements, and strengthen investigative leads.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Define Cognitive Interviewing (CI) and explain its purpose
• Understand how law enforcement benefits from CI techniques
• Identify the strengths, limitations, and practical applications of CI
• Recognize when CI is most effective across age groups and memory conditions

Cognitive Interviewing Foundations

Participants will explore:

• What Cognitive Interviewing is and how it works
• How CI is similar to and different from traditional interview techniques
• Appropriate locations and environments for conducting CI interviews
• The importance of initial contact, rapport building, and interview setup

The Science Behind Cognitive Interviewing

This course examines the neuroscience that supports CI, including:

• The impact of stress on memory
• Self-protection and memory recall
• The role of time in witness and victim recollection

When to Use Cognitive Interviewing

Learn how CI can be applied to:

• Witnesses of all ages
• Individuals with diminished or fragmented memory
• Confused or emotionally affected victims
• Complex or delayed reporting situations

The Four Core Components of Cognitive Interviewing

Participants will master the four essential CI techniques:

1. Recall Everything
2. Reverse the Order
3. Change Perspective
4. Reinstate the Context

Conducting an Effective CI Interview

This course provides practical guidance on:

• Using open-ended questioning techniques
• Examples of effective CI questions
• Active listening and encouraging narrative responses
• Allowing witnesses and victims to speak freely
• Capturing details through human senses
• Documenting and reporting all relevant information

Limitations and Challenges of CI

Participants will also examine:

• Time considerations
• Training requirements
• Common mistakes and reverting to traditional methods

Practical Application

The course concludes with:

• Real-world examples of CI interviews
• Guided practice and review
• How to begin implementing CI techniques immediately

INSTRUCTOR: Sergeant Jacqueline Lee Hearon is supervisor of the Economic Crime Task Force and Fraud Unit of the Brevard County Sheriff's Office. She heads a multi-agency task force and conducts fraud training classes. She instructed for ten (10) years at the Brevard Community College Police Academy. Currently, Sergeant Hearon is a member of the ACFE and is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and Certified Financial Crimes Investigator (CFCI.)

TARGET AUDIENCE: All members of the criminal justice community (sworn only).

DATES & TIMES: Monday, March 2nd, 2026 - 8:00 am until 5:00pm (Eastern Time)

COST: $224.00 per person (plus $3.00 registration fee + credit card fee if applicable)

LOCATION:

Bucks County Public Safety Police Training Center

1760 South Easton Road

Doylestown, PA 18901

PAYMENT OPTIONS:

• Check made payable to:

TRAINING FORCE USA,7769 McClure Dr Tallahassee, FL 32312

• Purchase Order

• Credit Card payment made online

Cancellations and Substitutions:

• Upon submission of this registration, participants are responsible for payment of this course. Please note that if you do not attend, you are still responsible for payment.

• Substitutions may be made at any time by phone, e-mail or online at the registration site

If there are not enough registrants for the course, a live online or on-demand option will be provided.

QUESTIONS: Phone: 850-556-4544 E-mail: contactus@trainingforceusa.com

WWW.TRAININGFORCEUSA.COM