Is that REALLY the story?

A study of how witness testimony is affected, altered,

and distorted through law enforcement bias.

Krysta HowellMrs. Kiehl

Professor Dale Nute & Mrs. Debra Palmer

Compare your answers with a neighbor

Is there a difference in answers because of how the questions were phrased?

Think about it.

Survey

immediate memory

short-term memory

Long-term memory Mental

slips and blank-outs happen to everyone

Short term and Long Term Memory

Techniques used during questioning

Three most common

Witness’ words

Filling in gaps

Telling it backwards

Beginning the interview with the witness' words

•open ended questions

•unbiased

•smell, taste, distance, and weather

•memory of distance and depth perception

Filling in the gaps

witnesses may remember something they left out or had not remembered before Tend to think linearly

Telling the scenario backwards

Electronic Devices

Electronic and recording devices, like videotaping

Less distractions

Too expensive Witness cooperation

Misconceptions about recording devices

Two ways:Live lineupPhoto spread

Two common types of techniques: simultaneous and sequential

Eyewitness Identification

•All presented to the witness at the same time•Caused debate: relative judgment

Simultaneous Eyewitness Identification

Sequential Eyewitness Identification

•presented to the witness one at a time •seen as more effective•Absolute judgment

Comparing

• likely to cause a "false alarm" – fillers

• less false identification compared to the traditional methods

• This avoids influencing the witness

Double-blind

False Identification• Testimony’s

weight on jury

Bibliography• http://www.alz.org/brain/images/00a.jpg• http://www.wethechange.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/maintain-a-healthy-brain.gif• http://www.caricature-dc.com/portfolio/images/courtroom_06.jpg• http://www.suzannesutton.com/_borders/anguish.jpg• http://www.barricadelites.com/images/Caution%20Tape%201.gif• http://www.fbi.gov/publications/leb/2004/sept2004/sept04lebx27x1.jpg• http://mindpowersystem.com/images/InterrogationMethods_F39B/interrogationroom6.jpg• http://mylifeofcrime.files.wordpress.com/2007/07/crime.jpg• http://www.buffalo.edu/news/hires/Fingerprint1.jpg• http://www.webstar.co.uk/~afzal/images/usual.jpg• http://mindpowersystem.com/images/InterrogationMethods_F39B/interrogationroom6.jpg• http://www.drawmyface.co.uk/images/drawings/pre-self-portrait.jpg