Eyewitness Identification
Witnesses to crimes are sometimes asked to view a police lineup to see if they can identify the culprit. Using experimentally created events, psychological researchers have long warned that eyewitness identification evidence is less reliable than people seem to believe. Corroborating the concerns of psychologists, since the advent of forensic DNA testing in the 1990s, 258 people convicted by juries in the United States have been freed based on exculpatory DNA tests, and 200 of these were cases of mistaken eyewitness identification (Innocence
Project, 2010). Examination of the reasons for these mistaken identifications has provided rich avenues of investigation guided by cognitive and social perspectives. Here we focus on (a) variables that
…show more content…
Not surprisingly, witnesses are likely to assume that the culprit is in the lineup; when explicitly warned that the lineup may or may not contain the culprit, witnesses are less likely to make a selection (Brewer & Wells, 2006). Identification accuracy is impaired under encoding conditions likely to undermine memory strength, such as divided attention, short exposure duration, and long viewing distance (e.g., Lindsay, Semmler, Weber,
Brewer, & Lindsay, 2008; Palmer, Brewer, McKinnon, &
Weber, 2010). Some conditions, such as identifying a culprit of a different race or one who was wearing a disguise (e.g.,
Meissner & Brigham, 2001), undermine encoding and/or lineup discrimination performance. Other conditions such as lengthy retention intervals are associated with diminished memory strength (Deffenbacher, Bornstein, McGorty, & Penrod,
2008).
Indicators of Identification Accuracy
Because an identification decision is often the key evidence against a suspect, characteristics of identification decisions that might discriminate accurate from inaccurate decisions have been explored. Decision confidence (Brewer & Wells,
Case Study Of John's Wrongful Conviction: Flawed Pathology Evidence
1139 Words | 5 PagesEyewitness accounts play a huge role in general in trials and verdicts, but may be unreliable many times, with certain views placed on evidence provided by children. Unreliability may arise from not being able to recount the identity of the accused, the actions and speech occurring during that time, the relationship of individuals towards the person in question, and many
Analysis Of Elizabeth Loftus Memory In Canadian Courts Of Law
983 Words | 4 PagesIt states “scientific research indicates that identification procedures such as line-ups and photo arrays produce more reliable evidence when the individual line-up members or photographs are shown to witnesses sequentially – one at a time – rather than simultaneously.” By giving the reader such a valuable piece of information from a credible source, it engages Loftus’ readers into going more in depth with the research into finding out more about the recommendations provided. This is an attempt by the author to encourage those who are familiar with the justice system particularly in Canada and the United States who both mainly use the adversarial court system to rise up and take part into bringing in a new method that will protect the defendant while in court from being falsely accused of a crime they did not
Summary Of Some Close Encounters Of A Mental Kind By Stephen Gould
1139 Words | 5 PagesMemories can be misinterpreted easily especially with the passage of time. This is why during interrogations, eyewitnesses’ can feel pressured and choose the wrong suspect such as the Tillman case. Tillman was accused of kidnapping and raping a woman in 1988. DNA analysis of the semen showed that it had come from someone else and he was wrongfully imprisoned for eighteen years (Duke
Research Paper On West Memphis Three
1317 Words | 6 PagesIs it better to assume a man is guilty based on stereotypes and prejudice? Evidence must be substantial and confessions must never be forced or excessive. All evidence must be legally obtained, but sometimes things don’t happen the way they are supposed to. For in May of 1993, unspeakable acts rocked the community of West Memphis, Arkansas. Three boys would go on an innocent bike ride and never return, and three older boys were blamed.
Why Is Lamar Johnson A Wrongful Conviction
1118 Words | 5 PagesThe case highlights the problems associated with flawed eyewitness identification, prosecutorial misconduct, and inadequate legal representation. By addressing these issues through comprehensive reforms, such as improving eyewitness identification procedures, increasing accountability for prosecutors, and providing adequate resources for public defenders, we can work towards a more just and equitable system. The case of Lamar Johnson not only underscores the importance of rectifying individual wrongful convictions but also emphasizes the broader implications for our society and the urgent need for criminal justice
Richard Miles: Eyewitness Testimony
689 Words | 3 PagesRichard miles was wrongfully convicted of murder and attempted murder in 1995 based on eyewitness testimony, false or misleading forensic evidence and official misconduct. The evidence presented at his trial that is useful for this particular research paper is the eyewitness testimony. Thurman the witness in this case identified Miles as the gunman from a photospread that police had given him. Several other witnesses were shown the same photospread but could not identify Miles. Miles was charged with murder and attempted murder.
Ronald Cotton Case Study
1428 Words | 6 PagesEffects of post identification feedback on eyewitness identification and nonidentification confidence. Journal of Applied Psychology, 89, 334–346. Lindsay, R., & Wells, G. (1985). Improving eyewitness identification from lineups: Simultaneous versus sequential lineup presentations. Journal of Applied Psychology, 70, 556–564.
Crime Lineups Paper
754 Words | 4 PagesHistorically, eyewitness accounts of a crime were a vital piece of evidence used in the prosecution of criminal offenses. Lineups were a method used where typically a group of individuals not involved in the crime along with the suspect whom is believed to be directly related to the crime are grouped together for the witness to review in the hopes to identify the suspect. This is accomplished in two ways, the first is simultaneous where several photos are grouped together at the same time (typically six) for the witness to review. This specific procedure raises the issue of certainty from the witness.
Cross-Race Identification Vs Cross-Race Identification
110 Words | 1 PagesOwn-race identifications are those in which people distinguish someone of the same race as their own. Cross-race identifications mean identifying individuals from a race different from our own. A comprehensive study, with 271 real court cases, was conducted in connection with these issues and the results revealed that witnesses pertinently identified 65% of the defendants who were of the same race as them. On the other hand, 45% of the defendants were identified who belonged to a different race than the witnesses. A further scientific study also indicates that own-race identifications are liable to be more precise, by 10 percent to 15 percent, than cross-race identifications (Eysenck and Keane
Essay On Incredible Eyewitnesses
960 Words | 4 PagesMost cases where someone has been exonerated due to DNA retesting had a problem with eyewitnesses misidentifying the suspects. This is a problem that can change someone’s life forever. Misidentification of suspects is a flaw in the criminal justice system that can be addressed through more police training and increased help from the judges. Misidentification by the eyewitnesses and the police officers are current problems in the justice system. Suspects are identified by the eyewitnesses of the crime, but this can lead to some problems with who is identified.
Eyewitness Misidentification
1297 Words | 6 PagesAre You Sure? Why have more than two-thousand people exonerated for crimes they didn’t commit? Eyewitness misidentification is the leading cause of wrongful convictions in the U.S. Memory can be influenced by anxiety, stress, reconstructive memory and other factors possibly affecting the testimony of the eyewitness and in turn, misleading the jury. I think that when subjects witness a crime they will struggle to remember important details of the event, and their recollection could be easily altered. This is because the reconstructive memory can be influenced by factors such as stress, anxiety, and verbal cues.
Eyewitnesses: 60-Minute Segment Of Ronald Cotton And Jennifer Thompson
702 Words | 3 PagesThis week’s topic was very interesting to learn about how important eyewitnesses can be when a crime and accidents do occur. In the case that was presented in the 60-minute segment of Ronald Cotton and Jennifer Thompson is exactly how legal system can fail us when it comes to the eyewitnesses’ identification testimony and how a person’s perception and memory can be altered. The aspect of psychology and law research from this week’s course material is most relevant to the topic of perception and memory. The memory has different stages the first is encoding the process of entering perception into memory.
Essay On Wrongful Convictions
1225 Words | 5 PagesFurthermore, there can be several factors at play when a wrongful conviction occurs and each case is unique. Three of the more common and detrimental factors that will be explored in this essay are eyewitness error, the use of jailhouse informants and professional and institutional misconduct. Firstly, eyewitness testimony can be a major contributor to a conviction and is an important factor in wrongful conviction (Campbell & Denov, 2016, p. 227). Witness recall and, frankly, the human emory are not as reliable as previously thought. In fact there has been much research showing the problems with eyewitness testimony such as suggestive police interviewing, unconscious transference, and malleability of confidence (Campbell & Denov, 2016, p.227).
Eyewitness Identification Essay
1228 Words | 5 PagesIn the simultaneous line-up, witnesses overestimate their ability to make an identification, resulting in misidentifications. This is due the nature of judgements, promoted by the simultaneous line-up, relative
The Credibility Of Eyewitnesses In Criminal Investigations
441 Words | 2 PagesEye witness identification involves selecting an accused perpetrator from a police line up, sketch or being at the crime scene during the murder time. After selecting a suspect, witnesses are asked to make a formal statement confirming the ID of the suspect (s) or other surrounding details which the eyewitness can testify in court. Eyewitnesses are always required to testify in court but eyewitnesses with psychological disorders, substance dependancy are at a higher chance of identifying the wrong suspect therefore wrongfully assisting convict the perpetrator in the wrong (Hal Arkowitz, Scott O. Lilienfeld, January 1, 2010). Anxiety or stress is always associated with crimes involving traumatic events that have previously taken place.
More about Eyewitness Identification
Case Study Of John's Wrongful Conviction: Flawed Pathology Evidence
1139 Words | 5 PagesAnalysis Of Elizabeth Loftus Memory In Canadian Courts Of Law
983 Words | 4 PagesSummary Of Some Close Encounters Of A Mental Kind By Stephen Gould
1139 Words | 5 PagesResearch Paper On West Memphis Three
1317 Words | 6 PagesWhy Is Lamar Johnson A Wrongful Conviction
1118 Words | 5 PagesRichard Miles: Eyewitness Testimony
689 Words | 3 PagesRonald Cotton Case Study
1428 Words | 6 PagesCrime Lineups Paper
754 Words | 4 PagesCross-Race Identification Vs Cross-Race Identification
110 Words | 1 PagesEssay On Incredible Eyewitnesses
960 Words | 4 PagesEyewitness Misidentification
1297 Words | 6 PagesEyewitnesses: 60-Minute Segment Of Ronald Cotton And Jennifer Thompson
702 Words | 3 PagesEssay On Wrongful Convictions
1225 Words | 5 PagesEyewitness Identification Essay
1228 Words | 5 PagesThe Credibility Of Eyewitnesses In Criminal Investigations
441 Words | 2 Pages