NCJ Number
104754
Date Published
1987
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Understanding and responsiveness to the cognitive and situational factors that influence children may help resolve the problems associated with their courtroom testimony, particularly the problem of suggestibility.
Abstract
Two experimental studies in which children witnessed either a live event or slides of an event and responded to leading questions showed that 6-year-olds were significantly more likely than 16- or 17-year-olds to be affected by the leading questions. Further experiments showed that children who remember less about an event are more easily misled, as are younger children. At all ages, witnesses provide more accurate information during free reports than in response to direct questions about particular aspects of the event. Photo lineups appear to be particularly confusing to young children. In addition, interviews often increase any deficits that children may have in memory or cognition, because children respond differently than adults to the subtle cues involved in interview situations. However, three types of changes in interviews can help overcome these problems. Using prompts, script-oriented interviews, and practice tasks can help young children make responses that produce optimal value in their eyewitness testimony. 38 references.