Expanding Research on Investigations of Officer-Involved Shootings: An Experimental Evaluation of Question Timing on Police Officers' Memory Recall
File version
Author(s)
Spencer, M Dylan
Mancik, Ashley
Porter, Louise E
Ready, Justin
Alpert, Geoffrey P
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract
The timing of an investigation after an officer-involved shooting (OIS) is influenced by conflicting forces. The public demands expedited resolution, but police officers are provided several protections that can delay investigations of their actions. This study conducts a randomized experiment to determine the impact of question timing after an OIS on the accuracy of police officers’ memory recall. Officers were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The treatment group completed a questionnaire after participating in a live-action, active shooter training scenario and again 2 days later, whereas the control group only completed the questionnaire 2 days later. Our findings suggest the timing of interviews after training did not influence officers’ recall of the scenario. There is little empirical understanding of how police officers reconstruct OIS events; further interdisciplinary research can help clarify these cognitive processes. This research could strengthen a traditional pathway to provide accountability for officers through investigations.
Journal Title
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND BEHAVIOR
Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume
Issue
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject
Criminology
Law and legal studies
Psychology
Applied and developmental psychology
Clinical and health psychology
Social Sciences
Psychology, Clinical
Criminology & Penology
Psychology
officer-involved shooting
Persistent link to this record
Citation
Schnell, C; Spencer, MD; Mancik, A; Porter, LE; Ready, J; Alpert, GP, Expanding Research on Investigations of Officer-Involved Shootings: An Experimental Evaluation of Question Timing on Police Officers' Memory Recall, CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND BEHAVIOR, 2021