CMI Witness Interview Techniques & Human Factors Flashcards
6 cards from real CMI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 CMI Witness Interview Techniques & Human Factors flashcards as text
What is the primary purpose of conducting a cognitive interview with a witness to a marine casualty?
Answer: To enhance the witness's recall of events through memory reinstatement techniques
Cognitive interviews use mental reinstatement of context and open-ended questioning to maximize the accuracy and completeness of witness recall.
Which of the following best describes the 'funnel technique' used during witness interviews in marine investigations?
Answer: Starting with broad open-ended questions and progressively narrowing to specific details
The funnel technique starts with open narrative questions to allow free recall, then narrows to specific follow-up questions without leading the witness.
In the context of human factors investigation, 'situational awareness' refers to:
Answer: A mariner's perception of the environment, understanding of the current situation, and projection of future status
Situational awareness, as defined by Mica Endsley, encompasses perception, comprehension, and projection of environmental elements affecting operations.
A CMI investigator should separate witnesses before interviewing them primarily to:
Answer: Prevent witnesses from aligning or contaminating each other's accounts
Separating witnesses prevents conformity bias and memory contamination, preserving the independence and reliability of each account.
Which human factor is most commonly identified as a contributing cause in marine casualty investigations?
Answer: Fatigue and impaired alertness due to inadequate rest
Fatigue consistently ranks as a top human factor in marine casualties, impairing decision-making, reaction time, and situational awareness.
When a witness displays signs of trauma or emotional distress during an interview, the CMI investigator should:
Answer: Pause the interview, offer support, and resume only when the witness is ready to continue
Trauma-informed interviewing requires prioritizing witness welfare; a distressed witness is less reliable, and pausing helps ensure the quality of information obtained.