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One perpetrator, two perpetrators: The effect of multiple perpetrators on eyewitness identification

NCJ Number
304544
Journal
Applied Cognitive Psychology Dated: 2021
Author(s)
Date Published
2021
Annotation

Since It is unclear how multiple perpetrators might impact the ability of eyewitnesses to discriminate between the guilty and innocent, in addressing this issue we conducted two experiments in which large nationwide samples of participants read a vignette about a crime being committed, and then viewed one to two target faces.

 

Abstract

If there were two targets, they were either similar or dissimilar, and presented either simultaneously or sequentially. Participants later viewed a target-present or -absent lineup for each target. As predicted, presenting one target enhanced discriminability compared to two targets presented simultaneously (Experiments 1 and 2), and two targets presented sequentially (Experiment 2). Results were mixed regarding the effect of similarity, with discriminability better for dissimilar compared to similar target pairs in just one experiment. Lastly, high confidence indicated high accuracy across all conditions. (Publisher Abstract Approved)

 

Date Published: January 1, 2021