The Self-Administered Interview (SAIÓ) is a recall tool designed to elicit comprehensive initial witness statements while minimising demands on police resources. Previous studies have found that immediate SAIÓ administration increased recall accuracy and even helped inoculate against misinformation. However, no studies have examined the effect of delayed SAIÓ administration on recall quantity and quality. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of a delay between the witnessed event and administration of the SAIÓ on recall accuracy. After watching a crime video, the SAIÓ was administered to participants either immediately, after a delay of 24 hr, after 1 week or not at all. Two weeks after watching the video participants were introduced to post-event information (PEI) via an audio discussion, before completing a free recall statement. It was found that delayed administration of the SAIÓ negatively impacted upon recall accuracy and susceptibility to incorrect PEI. The efficacy of the SAIÓ appears to be dependent upon administration within 24 hr of the critical event.
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