Eyewitness Testimony & Forensic Science

How do most people perceive human memory?

• a. As a reliable source of information

• b. As an inaccurate and unreliable source of information

• c. As a combination of reliable and unreliable information

• d. As a completely subjective experience

According to the article, 'the act of remembering is akin to putting puzzle pieces together.' How is memory like a puzzle?

• a. Memory is made up of fragmented pieces of information

• b. Memory requires effort and concentration to piece together

• c. Memory can be distorted or incomplete, like missing puzzle pieces

• d. All of the above

What proposals has The Innocence Project made to improving the accuracy of eyewitness IDs?

• a. Implementing stricter guidelines for eyewitness identification procedures

• b. Providing training for law enforcement on the fallibility of eyewitness testimony

• c. Using sequential lineups instead of simultaneous lineups

• d. All of the above

What is episodic memory?

• A person's unique memory of a specific event

• A person's memory of general facts

• A person's memory of their daily routine

• A person's memory of their favorite food

What is one reason why eyewitness testimony is considered a powerful form of evidence?

• It is always accurate.

• It provides crucial information about a crime.

• It is the only form of evidence that can be used in court.

• It is easy to obtain.

What is one factor that can influence the accuracy of eyewitness testimony?

• The witness's age

• The location of the crime

• The type of weapon used

• The emotion of the witness

What is one step that forensic investigators must take to ensure the reliability of eyewitness testimony?

• They must ensure that the witness is not exposed to leading questions.

• They must interview the witness several days after the event.

• They must rely solely on eyewitness testimony to solve the crime.

• They must disregard any physical evidence that contradicts the eyewitness testimony.

What are estimator variables?

• Variables that can be controlled by the criminal justice system

• Variables that affect eyewitness identification, such as lighting and distance

• Variables that are not relevant to eyewitness identification

• Variables that can be manipulated by the perpetrator

How many states have currently implemented the core reforms promoted by the Innocence Project?

• 10

• 15

• 20

• 24

What is your finalized opinion about eye witness testimony being used in the courtroom?

2 min audio