THE EYEWITNESS
Eyewitness accounts can be a useful tool in helping investigators with analyzing a crime scene, but are not viewed to be highly reliable. In addition, eyewitness identifications (right or wrong) can have a big influence on the outcome of an investigation or trial.
People are likely to view the same scene in different ways depending on their positions, line of sight, familiarity with the area, and other factors that can
interfere with a person’s ability to remember details.
Ronald Cotton's Story
People are likely to view the same scene in different ways depending on their positions, line of sight, familiarity with the area, and other factors that can
interfere with a person’s ability to remember details.
Ronald Cotton's Story
According to The Innocence Project (2008) "Eyewitness misidentification is the single greatest cause of wrongful convictions nationwide, playing a role in more than 75% of convictions overturned through DNA testing." Still, the criminal justice system profoundly relies on eyewitness identification and testimony for investigating and prosecuting crimes (Wells & Olson, 2003).
EYE WITNESS FACTORS
•Age may play a role in the accuracy of an eyewitness’ statement or identificationf a suspect. Studies have shown that when a lineup contains the actual culprit, both young children and elderly perform well, but when the lineup does not contain the culprit there is a higher rate of mistaken identifications.
•The race of the witness may also play a role. The Cross Race Effect (CRE) is a phenomenon in which people are better at recognizing faces of their own race rather than those of other races.
•The use of drugs can alter a person’s ability to recall the events of a crime even after they are no longer under the influence.
•A person’s memory of an event can be influenced by other witnesses, investigators, and/or the media. Investigators use open-ended questioning and follow procedures for conducting line-ups to limit their influence on a witness’ memory of an event or identification of a suspect.
•The race of the witness may also play a role. The Cross Race Effect (CRE) is a phenomenon in which people are better at recognizing faces of their own race rather than those of other races.
•The use of drugs can alter a person’s ability to recall the events of a crime even after they are no longer under the influence.
•A person’s memory of an event can be influenced by other witnesses, investigators, and/or the media. Investigators use open-ended questioning and follow procedures for conducting line-ups to limit their influence on a witness’ memory of an event or identification of a suspect.
•A crime that is extremely traumatic for an eyewitness may affect his/her recall
of the event. For example, a witness confronted with a weapon tends to focus on
the weapon rather than the perpetrator’s face.
•Someone who is able to focus on a perpetrator's face for a minute or longer will tend
to have a more accurate memory than someone who saw the person for only a few
seconds.
•Studies have shown that faces that are either highly attractive, highly unattractive,
or distinctive are more likely to be accurately recognized. Simple disguises, such as hats or sunglasses, can interfere with accurate eyewitness identification. However, body piercings and tattoos increases the likelihood of an accurate identification.
•The time of day in which the crime occurred as well as a person’s view of the scene may affect what a he/she is able to see. In addition, a person who is familiar with the area in which the crime took place, may have a better recall of the positions of the victims or suspects.
of the event. For example, a witness confronted with a weapon tends to focus on
the weapon rather than the perpetrator’s face.
•Someone who is able to focus on a perpetrator's face for a minute or longer will tend
to have a more accurate memory than someone who saw the person for only a few
seconds.
•Studies have shown that faces that are either highly attractive, highly unattractive,
or distinctive are more likely to be accurately recognized. Simple disguises, such as hats or sunglasses, can interfere with accurate eyewitness identification. However, body piercings and tattoos increases the likelihood of an accurate identification.
•The time of day in which the crime occurred as well as a person’s view of the scene may affect what a he/she is able to see. In addition, a person who is familiar with the area in which the crime took place, may have a better recall of the positions of the victims or suspects.