How Accurate Are Eyewitnesses

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ng questioning by law enforcement agents, suspect identification through such tasks as line ups, and helping in event and identification memory. (Loftus and Palmer 1974) Their study reinforces the notion that there are some fundamental errors in eyewitness testimonies, and these testimonies are often crucial in leading to convictions. Researchers have used the means of mock trials in an attempt to study the effects of eyewitnesses’ testimonies. This particular study uses information that was provided by previous research conducted by Lindsay, et al. (1989), on perceived eyewitness confidence. Be a Juror focuses on the manipulation of the presence and credibility of eyewitnesses. In this experiment a computer is used as an apparatus in completing this study and is beneficial in that it helps in controlling the conditions that participants were exposed to. This study is important in that it assists law enforcement agents in obtaining the best and accurate eyewitness testimonies. It is also important for it shows that eyewitness testimonies are not always an accurate means in proving someone’s innocence or guilt.
A study previously conducted by Loftus and Palmer (1974) helps to develop a guide for law enforcement agencies to follow. It is suggested from this study that leading questions can cause an eyewitness to distort memories forcing eyewitnesses to answer questions that they do not know, which leads them to guess. Other strategies developed from this study comprise of allowing the witness to volunteer information, avoid rapid firing questions, and keep questions open-ended. (Loftus and Palmer 1974) This study also helped to develop identification procedural guidelines that illustrated that police line-ups consisting of one suspect in a line up leads to a higher rate of misidentification. Another important guideline suggests including a line up filler section, consisting of people whom have similar characteristics as the suspec...