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Adult Eyewitness Testimony: Current Trends and Developments

NCJ Number
159543
Editor(s)
D R Ross, J D Read, M P Toglia
Date Published
1994
Length
447 pages
Annotation
An overview of current empirical research on eyewitness testimony and identification accuracy is presented that covers both theory and application.
Abstract
The volume is organized to address three important issues: (2) cognitive, social, and physical factors that influence the accuracy of eyewitness reports; (2) how lineups should be constructed and verbal testimony be taken to improve the chances of obtaining accurate information; and (3) whose testimony should be believed, particularly when differences exist between accurate and inaccurate witnesses. The first section of the volume examines various factors and processes involved in eyewitness testimony, including reports of suggested memories, memory source monitoring, understanding bystander misidentification, unconscious transference and lineup identification, earwitness evidence, and whole body information. The second section investigates differences between fair and unfair lineups in terms of such characteristics as foil selection, the measurement of lineup fairness, and cognitive interview techniques for enhancing the amount and accuracy of verbal testimony. The third section covers eyewitness characteristics and behaviors that can be used to distinguish accurate and inaccurate eyewitnesses. The focus is on decision times and eyewitness identification accuracy in simultaneous and sequential lineups, individual differences in personality and eyewitness identification, eyewitness identification confidence, expectations of eyewitness performance, and the appraisal of eyewitness testimony. References, tables, and figures

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