Criminal PsychologyCriminal PsychologyChapter 10Chapter 10

Eyewitness TestimonyEyewitness TestimonyTalbotTalbot

Kellogg Community CollegeKellogg Community College

The Importance of EyewitnessesThe Importance of Eyewitnesses What makes it important?What makes it important? What makes a good witness?What makes a good witness?

RaceRace GenderGender AgeAge

Availability to testifyAvailability to testify Ability to testifyAbility to testify Witnesses’ assertion of good memoryWitnesses’ assertion of good memory

Problems in Eyewitness TestimonyProblems in Eyewitness Testimony(Visual Memory)(Visual Memory)

Memory Memory Consolidation Priming Constructive Processing Misinformation Effect Redintegration

The role of the Psychologist Applied Researcher/ Expert

witness System variables – Estimator variables –

Trainer/ Educator to the Criminal Justice System

Police Consultant

Problematic ProceduresProblematic Procedures 5 Problems.5 Problems.

Questioning Witnesses (Information Questioning Witnesses (Information Generation)Generation)

ProblemsProblems1.1. 2.2. 3.3. 4.4. 5.5. 6.6.

The Goals of Law-enforcement.The Goals of Law-enforcement.

How to Improve MemoryHow to Improve Memory

1.1. 2.2. 3.3. 4.4. 5.5. 6.6.

Use of Lineups/ Photo arrays Suspect identification

Identity Parade Photo Spread

Benefits of Identity Parade

Benefits of the Photo Spread

Common Errors

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Proper Procedural Rules Double - _________ Witnesses should be told that it is possible

that the true perpetrator may ___________ and that the officer ___________ who the suspect might be.

The suspect should not ______________. A clear statement should be taken from the

___________ at the time of the identification. Provide views of different suspects

__________rather than _____________.

Expert Witness – What is reliable enough to testify about?

Box 10-4

Steps in the evaluative process FBI’s Facial Identification Catalogue

Identikit

Holistic Process –