Accuracy Of Eyewitness Testimony

How Accurate is an Eyewitness?

Eyewitness testimony is a legal term that allows witnesses to inform us what happened the night of a specific event. This is a necessity for an accurate case, and helps the jury decide the right verdict. Without eyewitness testimony we would not be able to solve cases as easily. With saying this, there are also many things that contemplate whether their information is as precise as they say. There are an abundance of factors that affect the accuracy of eyewitness testimony. “Psychologists usually separate the process of remembering into three stages: Encoding, storage and misinformation effect”(Science) First off, how does the brain store our information? Storage is the more or less passive process of remembering

It is split up into four different types: acoustic encoding, visual encoding, tactical encoding, and semantic encoding. Acoustic encoding is the process of encoding sounds and words of the memory. For instance, let’s say your friend told you there was a test on monday over the phone. Your brain would use your acoustic encoding to send it into your storage. Next, is your visual memory. This is the process of encoding images and visual memory. Like when you study a picture, and have to remember it later. Another type of encoding is your tactile encoding. This is the process of encoding by feeling, usually by touching it. Lastly, is semantic encoding. Which is the process of encoding sensory

Well first off is the timing. If the incorrect information is presented after the original information it is more likely to be accessible in your memory. Abling it to be much more easier to retrieve, “effectively blocking the retrieval of the original, correct information.”(“what is misinformation effect”) Another thing that can make it more likely to happen is talking to other witnesses about it. This can distort or change small details of the original memory. The reports given by other witnesses might conflict with your memory. Eye witness testimony is used in many court systems to figure out the correct verdict. “No matter what eyewitness testimony is in the court of law, it is the lowest form of evidence in the court of science.”(“Neil DeGrasse Tyson Quote.”) Although many people in the court believe that this is a very accurate resource, this isn 't always true.In conclusion eyewitness testimony isnt a good or accurate resource for getting the correct verdict in a case, due to the misinformation effect, encoding, and storage in our