Eyewitness Testimony and Memory Effects

What is identified as a primary reason for wrongful convictions in sex crimes and murder cases, even with DNA evidence available?

• Lack of proper legal representation.

• Faulty eyewitness testimony.

• Insufficient DNA evidence.

• Coerced confessions.

How does memory function, according to the research discussed?

• It accurately records events like a videotape recorder.

• It is fixed and unchangeable once an event occurs.

• It is malleable, incomplete, and easily influenced by suggestion.

• It improves in accuracy over time, especially under stress.

What effect does positive reinforcement from police have on an eyewitness's confidence in their identification, even if it's incorrect?

• It has no significant effect on their confidence.

• It slightly decreases their confidence due to self-doubt.

• It dramatically increases their confidence, making them more certain of their incorrect choice.

• It helps them recall more accurate details about the event.

How can eyewitness memory be influenced during an investigation, as demonstrated by psychological experiments?

• By showing suspects one at a time in a sequential lineup.

• By providing clear and concise instructions to the witness before the lineup.

• By presenting an altered face alongside a novel one, leading to misidentification.

• By ensuring the detective conducting the lineup knows the identity of the actual suspect.

What specific reform was implemented in North Carolina to improve the accuracy of eyewitness identification in police lineups?

• Requiring all photo lineups to be conducted using computer software.

• Mandating that victims be shown lineup photos one at a time and informed that the suspect may not be present.

• Eliminating eyewitness testimony from all criminal trials.

• Providing extensive psychological training to all law enforcement officers on memory recall.