The aim of the class is to provide the students with knowledge, experience and competence connected with the legal and psychological aspects of witness’s interview.
List of topics:
- The concept and types of witnesses;
- Legal aspects of witness testimony.;
- Interview – preparation and strategy;
- Interviewing witnesses – practical aspects;
- Theoretical issues in the study of memory;
- The impact of the factors (variables) on sincere witness testimony.;
- The influence of the interviewing witnesses on correctness their recalls – regarding script theory and disinformation. Cognitive interview.;
- False confessions. Interpretation of verbal and non-verbal behaviour.;
- Estimating the reliability of eyewitness testimony and identification. Mistaken identification.
- Interviewing children and the old adult witnesses – rules and strategy.
Assessment methods and assessment criteria:
- Practical exercises;
- Active participation in discussion classes;
- Final essay.
The final note is determined with: the score of written essay (80%) and preparing the practical exercises with active participation in discussion classes (20%). The final note depends on student’s knowledge and skills.
Teaching methods:
- Interactive lecture – verbal methods with using multimedia displays, a teacher presents results of empirical researches;
- Discussion;
- Practical exercises.
