How should evidence be presented in the Evidence Framing Matrix?

How should evidence be presented in the Evidence Framing Matrix?

• A. Present evidence in a fixed, non-changing sequence
• B. Present all evidence at the end of the interview
• C. Begin with highly specific evidence and escalate
• D. Initially present vague evidence and progressively become more specific

Answer: (D)

In presenting evidence, the aim is to minimize suggestive influence while maximizing accurate recall. Starting with vague items and then progressively introducing more specific details lets the interviewee establish an initial narrative without being steered by early cues. As the person recalls, you can gradually narrow in on specifics, which helps you verify consistency and uncover gaps without contaminating memory with leading prompts. This approach aligns with established interviewing methods that favor free recall first, followed by more targeted prompts. It reduces anchoring effects—where exposing someone to particular details first can bias their account toward those specifics. Presenting everything at once or beginning with highly specific evidence increases the risk that the memory is shaped to fit those cues or feels coerced, which can undermine reliability.

In presenting evidence, the aim is to minimize suggestive influence while maximizing accurate recall. Starting with vague items and then progressively introducing more specific details lets the interviewee establish an initial narrative without being steered by early cues. As the person recalls, you can gradually narrow in on specifics, which helps you verify consistency and uncover gaps without contaminating memory with leading prompts.

This approach aligns with established interviewing methods that favor free recall first, followed by more targeted prompts. It reduces anchoring effects—where exposing someone to particular details first can bias their account toward those specifics. Presenting everything at once or beginning with highly specific evidence increases the risk that the memory is shaped to fit those cues or feels coerced, which can undermine reliability.