Eyewitness Testimony and Forensic Science Answers

EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY & Forensic Science Eyewitness testimony has been used for centuries in criminal investigations, often leading to the conviction of the accused. However, science is finding increasingly substantial evidence against the use of eyewitness testimony as an accurate way of identifying suspects. In fact, brain researchers suggest that eyewitness testimony shouldn’t be used AT ALL and should not be allowed to be used in the court room. Today, you will participate in a WebQuest where you will research for yourself and develop your own opinion on this highly debatable topic. Visit the sites below and answer the questions. Article #1: 1. How do most people perceive human memory? Like a video recorder - where the mind records events and then plays back an exact replica of them. 2. According to the article, “the act of remembering is akin to putting puzzle pieces together.” How is memory like a puzzle? Memories are put together/reconstructed. Fragments of the memory are combined with other information. 3. What proposals has The Innocence Project made to improving the accuracy of eyewitness IDs? 1) videotaping the identification procedures so that juries can determine if it was conducted properly 2) putting individuals in the line up that resemble the witness's description of the perpetrator 3) informing the viewer that the perp may or may not be in the line up 4) ensuring that the person administering the line up does not know who the suspect is Article #2: 4. Explain how the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 relate to the discussion of eyewitness testimony today. Answers will vary, but should include the fact that many “witches” were convicted based solely on eyewitness accounts. Article #3: 5. What was the primary reason for Otis Boone's conviction? a. physical evidence b. eyewitness identification c. confession d. video footage 6. What are estimator variables? a. Variables that can be controlled by the criminal justice system b. Variables that affect eyewitness identification, such as lighting and distance c. Variables that are not relevant to eyewitness identification d. Variables that can be manipulated by the perpetrator 7. How many states have currently implemented the core reforms promoted by the Innocence Project? a.10 b. 15 c. 20 d. 24 8. What is the "cross-race effect" and how did it impact Otis Boone's case? (You may need to conduct further research to accurately answer this question.) the tendency for eyewitnesses to better recognize members of their own race/ethnicity than members of other races/ethnicities. Boone was a black man, and the victims were both white. 9. What are estimator variables and system variables in eyewitness identification, and how do they differ? Estimator variables are those that cannot be controlled by the criminal justice system. These include lighting, distance, perpetrator’s race, presence of a weapon, etc. System variables are controlled by the criminal justice system. These include how law enforcement agencies retrieve and record witness memory. 10. How could procedural reforms, such as the "double-blind" procedure and obtaining confidence statements, have helped prevent Otis Boone's wrongful conviction? These procedures would have ensured that system variables and safeguards were established that would prevent inaccurate eyewitness accounts. Article #4: 11. What is episodic memory? a. A person's unique memory of a specific event b. A person's memory of general facts c. A person's memory of their daily routine d. A person's memory of their favorite food 12. What is the difference between episodic memory and semantic memory? a. Episodic memory involves emotions, while semantic memory does not. b. Episodic memory is just the facts, while semantic memory is an individual’s unique take on a particular episode. c. Episodic memory is a person's unique memory of a specific event, while semantic memory is just the facts. d. Episodic memory and semantic memory are the same thing. 13. What is the process of recollection? a. The first step in forming an episodic memory b. The step that bakes an event into your long-term memory c. The retrieval of contextual information about a specific incident d. The process of forgetting a memory over time 14. How can episodic memory be affected? By trauma, hydrocephalus, tumors, metabolic conditions such as vitamin B1 deficiency, and neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s. 15. How does the use of suspect line-ups support the process of recollection? Recollection is a process that elicits the retrieval of contextual information pertaining to a specific incident. Sometimes a cue is needed to retrieve this information. When a victim or eyewitness is shown a police line-up, this “cue” may lead to a positive identification. Conduct an internet search to create a list of pros and cons of using eyewitness testimony in forensic investigations. You must have at least 5 pros and at least 5 cons. Using Eyewitness Testimony in Forensic Investigations PROS VS. 1.Crucial Information: Eyewitnesses can provide valuable and often unique information about a crime, such as descriptions of suspects, events, or license plate numbers. This information can be essential for identifying and apprehending the perpetrator. 2.Corroborating Evidence: Eyewitness accounts can serve as corroborating evidence when other types of evidence are limited or absent. They can support or validate other forms of evidence like video footage, forensic evidence, or circumstantial evidence. 3.Immediate Testimony: Eyewitnesses are often the first people on the scene, allowing them to provide immediate and fresh testimony before memories fade or details become distorted. Their initial accounts can provide investigators with crucial leads and insights. 4.Emotional Impact: Eyewitness testimony can have a powerful emotional impact on juries or judges, potentially influencing their perception of the case and the credibility of the witness. The emotional connection established through personal narratives can strengthen the prosecution's case. 5.Case Reconstruction: Eyewitnesses can help reconstruct the sequence of events, provide details about the actions of the suspect, or even point out the location of evidence. This information can be crucial for investigators in piecing together the crime and understanding its dynamics. CONS 1.Inaccuracies and Memory Distortion: Human memory is fallible and subject to distortions, leading to inaccuracies in eyewitness accounts. Factors like stress, trauma, the passage of time, suggestion, or bias can impact the reliability of the testimony, potentially leading to wrongful accusations or acquittals. 2.Cross-Racial Identification Bias: Research has shown that people may have difficulty accurately identifying individuals of a different race, leading to higher rates of misidentification or false identification. This bias can significantly affect the reliability of eyewitness testimony in cases involving individuals of different racial backgrounds. 3.Unconscious Bias and Preconceptions: Eyewitnesses may unintentionally introduce their own biases or preconceptions into their accounts. Factors like stereotypes, personal beliefs, or expectations can influence their perception of events, leading to biased or distorted testimony. 4.Limited Observational Capacity: In highstress situations, witnesses may have limited attentional capacity, making it difficult for them to accurately perceive and remember all relevant details. They may focus on specific aspects of the event while missing others, leading to incomplete or distorted accounts. 5.Susceptibility to Suggestion: Eyewitnesses can be susceptible to suggestion by external influences, such as leading questions during police interviews or media coverage. This can inadvertently lead them to modify their memory or provide inaccurate information, compromising the integrity of their testimony.