How reliable is eyewitness testimony?

The video explores the reliability of eyewitness testimony, highlighting its potential for error due to psychological phenomena. It presents evidence from lab and field studies, as well as DNA exonerations, showing that mistaken identifications are common. Despite its unreliability, eyewitness testimony remains crucial in the justice system. Efforts to improve its accuracy include refining lineup procedures and identifying behavioral markers of mistaken identification. Police departments are adopting these research-based reforms to better collect and preserve eyewitness evidence, ensuring more reliable outcomes in legal proceedings.

What psychological phenomenon can lead to mistaken eyewitness identification?

• Development of false memories

• Lack of attention to detail

• Inability to recognize faces

• Overconfidence in memory

Which type of study involves creating events and having people identify from lineups?

• Case studies

• Lab studies

• DNA exonerations

• Field studies

What percentage of DNA exonerations involve mistaken eyewitness identification?

• Two out of every three

• One out of every four

• Three out of every four

• One out of every two

What is one behavioral cue that may indicate a mistaken identification?

• Quick decision-making

• High confidence level

• Comparing one person to another

• Immediate recognition

How are police departments improving the collection of eyewitness evidence?

• By relying solely on witness confidence

• By using outdated methods

• By ignoring behavioral research

• By integrating new scientific findings