NCJ Number
183773
Date Published
1996
Length
268 pages
Annotation
This book makes the psychological case against the reliability of the eyewitness.
Abstract
The book attempts to draw together into one coherent framework the empirical work on eyewitness testimony and to examine the role of that testimony in the American legal system. The book devotes several chapters to the study of the malleability of memory. In addition, chapters discuss mistaken identification; impact of eyewitness testimony; theoretical issues in the study of memory; recognizing people; individual differences in eyewitness ability; common beliefs about eyewitness accounts; and an actual case of murder. Memory can become skewed when people assimilate new data. New post-event information often becomes incorporated into memory, supplementing and altering a person’s recollection. Today, judges in many States and Federal jurisdictions permit expert testimony. They have concluded that juries are entitled to hear about research on the reliability of eyewitness accounts. They realize that people in general, and jurors in particular, often harbor misconceptions about the way memory works. They also appreciate the wisdom arising from a century of psychological science. Tables, figures, appendix, references, index