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Accuracy Of Eyewitness

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The legal system is in need of the assistance of experts when evaluating the reliability of evidence given by eyewitnesses. Caution on the part of the jurors, when considering the accuracy of eyewitness accounts, should exercise focus on factual events as opposed to emotionally charged portrayals. Eyewitnesses who express confidence over their recollection of the events are not significantly more accurate and Arkowitz & Lilienfeld (2009) recommend educating presiding jurors over the dynamics of eyewitness accounts and the uncertainties that surround the testimonies of eyewitnesses. They also recommend the use and adherence to a set of rules during the identification of suspects to increase the accuracy of eyewitness testimonies. In their study, Benton et al. (2006) found that the eyewitness experts, the law enforcement professionals, and the judges …show more content…

The conclusions that were drawn from the study were that there was insufficient knowledge regarding the memory of eyewitnesses, which prevented an accurate account of the setting. The disagreement between the jurors, judges and law enforcement professionals demonstrates the necessary caution, which should be exercised when considering testimonies from eyewitnesses. Looking at this study it is evident that in less than half of all court cases the testimony of the witnesses was accurate enough to provide an account of events. This is obviously problematic in that it brings into question the validity of the justice system as a whole.

In regards to understanding the importance of decision-making in people there has been careful study and experimentation. Among the notable ideas produced by researchers in this department, is a study produced by

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