NCJ Number
180399
Journal
Justice of the Peace Volume: 164 Issue: 2 Dated: January 8 ,2000 Pages: 20-22
Date Published
2000
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article reviews recent research on the effect of suggestibility, memory, and stress on the eyewitness testimony of children and also compares the accuracy of adult and child witness testimonies.
Abstract
Research has yielded varied findings regarding child memories compared with adult memories; on the whole, however, the accuracy of children's memories is apparently somewhat less than adults, particularly when children are influenced by fear that leads to stress or when they are in the presence of threatening authority figures. Research has also shown that the accuracy of children's testimony tends to vary with age, with younger children being less likely to recall events accurately. Testimony accuracy varied by a child's intelligence and emotional state as well. In cases of children who alleged sexual abuse or physical abuse, there was likely to be a considerable amount of fear and suggestibility, often instigated by an adult. These factors can interfere with correct testimony. The degree of accuracy of a child's testimony depends largely on the manner in which they are questioned. Sensitive approaches to questioning and interviewing are necessary to ensure that children respond accurately. Suggestibility, stress, and coercive influences must be removed from question content and interview tactics. A 27-item bibliography