No, eyewitness testimony can be very inaccurate. When a person sees an event, they filter it through all their experiences, feelings, knowledge, and assumptions. Quite often, what comes out is a very incomplete picture of what happened. Police use eyewitness accounts most effectively when there are many eyewitnesses. They get all the stories and then piece together a more complete picture of an event.
memory
When an eyewitness to an auto accident is asked to describe what happened, the measure of memory being used is typically "recall." Recall involves retrieving previously learned information without the aid of cues, allowing the eyewitness to recount details of the event from memory. This process can be influenced by various factors, including the passage of time, stress, and the presence of misleading information.
Elizabeth F. Loftus has written: 'Memory, surprising new insights into how we remember and why we forget' -- subject(s): Memory 'Eyewitness testimony' -- subject(s): Crime and criminals, Criminals, Eyewitness identification, Forensic pathology, Forensic psychology, Identification, Psychological aspects, Psychological aspects of Eyewitness identification, Psychology, Forensic, Witnesses
1. Have them identify the suspect in a line up ASAP. 2. Tell them that "not choosing" is a correct answer as well. Studies have shown that giving eyewitnesses this choice results in extremely more accurate findings.
The writer argues that eyewitness accounts are highly reliable due to their direct nature, as they provide personal observations of events as they unfold. These accounts can offer detailed insights and emotional perspectives that other forms of evidence may lack. However, the writer may also acknowledge potential biases or inaccuracies in memory, suggesting that while generally trustworthy, eyewitness testimonies should be corroborated with additional evidence for greater reliability.
how can one acces the accuracy of someone's memory
Depends. An eyewitness could be bribed into lying, could notice some one working with the attacker and give false information, or another reason. The main reason would be the shock and awe of the situation, causing some ones memory to be vague after the event. However, in some cases this could actually enable a better memory on certain subjects. So yes and no, depending on the person.
Eyewitness testimony can provide valuable information in legal cases by offering firsthand accounts of events. However, it is also important to consider factors that can affect the accuracy of such testimony, such as memory biases, suggestibility, and stress during the event. corroboration from other evidence is often necessary to support eyewitness testimony.
Eyewitness accounts can be influenced by factors like stress, memory distortion, and perception biases, leading to inaccuracies. Therefore, relying solely on eyewitness testimony can introduce errors into the investigation and legal process. It's crucial to corroborate such accounts with physical evidence and other sources of information.
The most important factor in the accurate recording and recollection of accident events is the clarity and reliability of eyewitness accounts. Factors such as the timing of the recall, the presence of stress or trauma, and the ability to document details immediately after the incident significantly influence memory accuracy. Additionally, surrounding evidence, such as photographs or video footage, can provide crucial context and support to corroborate or clarify eyewitness testimonies. Proper documentation by authorities also plays a key role in ensuring an objective account of the incident.
A. Daniel Yarmey has written: 'Understanding police and police work' -- subject(s): Criminal psychology, Police, Police psychology 'The psychology of eyewitness testimony' -- subject(s): Criminal Evidence, Eyewitness identification, Forensic psychology, Memory