Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the function of system variables in eyewitness identification, as opposed to estimator variables?
What is the function of system variables in eyewitness identification, as opposed to estimator variables?
- They assess the credibility and confidence of the eyewitness.
- They quantify the effect of stress on memory recall.
- They relate to factors that the justice system can control to influence the reliability of identifications. (correct)
- They determine the inherent accuracy of an eyewitness's memory.
What is the primary distinction between a lineup administrator in a double-blind lineup compared to a single-blind lineup?
What is the primary distinction between a lineup administrator in a double-blind lineup compared to a single-blind lineup?
- A double-blind administrator is authorized to provide feedback on suspect selection.
- A double-blind administrator is trained in advanced interrogation techniques.
- A double-blind administrator does not know who the suspect is, preventing unintentional cues. (correct)
- A double-blind administrator is required to have legal qualifications,
What is the primary advantage, as stated in the text, of using photo lineups over live lineups in eyewitness identification procedures?
What is the primary advantage, as stated in the text, of using photo lineups over live lineups in eyewitness identification procedures?
- Photo lineups are typically less expensive and easier to administer. (correct)
- Photo lineups reduce the stress experienced by the eyewitness.
- Photo lineups remove any potential bias related to the suspect's nervousness.
- Photo lineups offer a more realistic setting for the eyewitness.
How do showups differ from lineups in eyewitness identification procedures, and why is this difference significant?
How do showups differ from lineups in eyewitness identification procedures, and why is this difference significant?
According to the information, what refinements or changes were made to the original four recommendations in the updated guidelines for eyewitness identification?
According to the information, what refinements or changes were made to the original four recommendations in the updated guidelines for eyewitness identification?
What is the recommendation regarding prelineup interviews in the context of eyewitness identification procedures, and what is the purpose of this recommendation?
What is the recommendation regarding prelineup interviews in the context of eyewitness identification procedures, and what is the purpose of this recommendation?
What constitutes "evidence-based suspicion" for including someone in a lineup, and what examples are provided to clarify this concept?
What constitutes "evidence-based suspicion" for including someone in a lineup, and what examples are provided to clarify this concept?
What statistical evidence supports the recommendation for evidence-based suspicion before including someone in a lineup?
What statistical evidence supports the recommendation for evidence-based suspicion before including someone in a lineup?
How does the double-blind lineup administration assist in preventing post-identification feedback?
How does the double-blind lineup administration assist in preventing post-identification feedback?
In what specific ways does a single-blind lineup administration potentially affect witness behavior?
In what specific ways does a single-blind lineup administration potentially affect witness behavior?
For areas that video recording lineups is not possible, what alternative does the document describe?
For areas that video recording lineups is not possible, what alternative does the document describe?
What methods does the content describe to decide what the correct level of similarity ought to be when selecting fillers for a lineup?
What methods does the content describe to decide what the correct level of similarity ought to be when selecting fillers for a lineup?
One strategy, when presented with face that is hard to find a filler for, what method does the document state is important to do?
One strategy, when presented with face that is hard to find a filler for, what method does the document state is important to do?
What is the primary way shown in the text to show the idea where lineups have multiple people, from which an eyewitness selects?
What is the primary way shown in the text to show the idea where lineups have multiple people, from which an eyewitness selects?
If certain suggestions are made, does the text say having an unbiased opinion on lineup is negated?
If certain suggestions are made, does the text say having an unbiased opinion on lineup is negated?
Although the findings from the text tend to show pre-lineups make the witness who does well, if witnesses do not follow the instruction what happens?
Although the findings from the text tend to show pre-lineups make the witness who does well, if witnesses do not follow the instruction what happens?
There are different reasons that cause there to be concern on the lineup process of social interaction, what are two potential examples of that?
There are different reasons that cause there to be concern on the lineup process of social interaction, what are two potential examples of that?
When does the lineup administrator have most influence in a procedure when:
When does the lineup administrator have most influence in a procedure when:
Where does there tend to be more reports and documentation in what procedure?
Where does there tend to be more reports and documentation in what procedure?
Does the fact of not identifying innocent suspects decrease the need to be double blind? What is the statement's stance on the matter?
Does the fact of not identifying innocent suspects decrease the need to be double blind? What is the statement's stance on the matter?
Which is the way showups should be looked at versus something used as?
Which is the way showups should be looked at versus something used as?
To be able to lower suggestiveness would:
To be able to lower suggestiveness would:
In the opinion of the text what is there potential to undermine when a showup is undertaken and the witness is not told?
In the opinion of the text what is there potential to undermine when a showup is undertaken and the witness is not told?
For the procedures what action tends to make something considered an issue and be what could make process difficult?
For the procedures what action tends to make something considered an issue and be what could make process difficult?
For all the processes noted that show the eyewitness was used what effect can that tend to have?
For all the processes noted that show the eyewitness was used what effect can that tend to have?
In a case that it does occur, as is easy, so to recognize to remember it, the face at that place with who makes not what occur. What type of error does that present itself as?
In a case that it does occur, as is easy, so to recognize to remember it, the face at that place with who makes not what occur. What type of error does that present itself as?
Flashcards
What are system variables?
What are system variables?
System variables are factors under the control of the criminal justice system that can affect the reliability of eyewitness identification.
What are estimator variables?
What are estimator variables?
Estimator variables are factors that affect eyewitness identification reliability but are not under the control of the justice system.
What are double-blind procedures?
What are double-blind procedures?
Double-blind procedures ensure neither the administrator nor the witness knows the suspect's identity, preventing unintentional influence.
What are prelineup instructions?
What are prelineup instructions?
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What is confidence statement
What is confidence statement
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Lineup
Lineup
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Showup
Showup
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Importance of Underlying Principle
Importance of Underlying Principle
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Prelineup Interview
Prelineup Interview
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Prelineup Interview - Instructions
Prelineup Interview - Instructions
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Estimator Variables
Estimator Variables
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Cognitive Interview
Cognitive Interview
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Person Description Interview
Person Description Interview
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Evidence-Based Suspicion
Evidence-Based Suspicion
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Evidence-Based Suspicion - Mistakes
Evidence-Based Suspicion - Mistakes
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Double-Blind Procedures
Double-Blind Procedures
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Administrators in Action
Administrators in Action
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Photo Notes
Photo Notes
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The way Lineup Fillers Should Be
The way Lineup Fillers Should Be
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Mock Witness Test
Mock Witness Test
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What Suspect Instructions Should Consist Of
What Suspect Instructions Should Consist Of
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Record Suspect's Mental State Always
Record Suspect's Mental State Always
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Essential Tool
Essential Tool
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Do Not Ever Repeat
Do Not Ever Repeat
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Poor Methods
Poor Methods
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Inculpable Witnesses
Inculpable Witnesses
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Study Notes
- An American Psychology-Law Society (Division 41 of the American Psychological Association) subcommittee was appointed to update the 1998 scientific review paper on guidelines for eyewitness identification procedures.
- The results yielded nine recommendations for planning, designing, and conducting eyewitness identification procedures.
Scientific Review Recommendations
- Selecting lineup fillers
- Prelineup instructions to witnesses
- Use of double-blind procedures
- Collection of a confidence statement
Additional Five Recommendations
- Conduct a prelineup interview of the witness
- Insist on evidence-based suspicion before conducting an identification procedure
- Video-record the entire procedure
- Avoid repeated identification attempts with the same witness and same suspect
- Avoid using showups when possible and improving how showups are conducted when they are necessary
Public Significance Statement
- Mistaken eyewitness identification is a primary contributor to criminal convictions of the innocent
- Procedures for collecting and documenting eyewitness identification evidence can help prevent mistakes
- Nine system variable recommendations concerning eyewitness identification procedures can be implemented by crime investigators in eyewitness identification cases.
Ongoing Concerns
- Concerns raised about the potential unreliability of eyewitness identification evidence.
- Psychological scientists developed programmatic laboratory-based experimental research that certain variables under control of the criminal justice system can dramatically inflate the likelihood of a mistaken identification; these variables were called system variables
- Forensic DNA testing to claims of innocence.
- The largest category of convictions based on eyewitness identification evidence is robberies, and culprits of robbery almost never leave behind DNA-rich trace evidence that could exculpate.
- Improving the reliability of eyewitness identification evidence remains an important priority in preventing miscarriages of justice.
- The current article is a focused examination of system variables in eyewitness identification. Factors that relate to the reliability of eyewitness identifications over which the justice system has (or can have control.
- Witnesses tend to provide between seven and nine descriptors of a culprit on average, frequently including information about perceived height, weight, gender, ethnicity, and age
Overview of Recommendations
- The current scientific review paper endorses the same four recommendations but expands the number of recommendations to nine.
- Prelineup Interview Recommendation: Before conducting an identification procedure, an officer should interview witnesses to document their descriptions of the culprit, obtain their self-report of viewing conditions and attention during the crime, document any claims of prior familiarity with the culprit, instruct witnesses not to discuss the event with other cowitnesses, and warn the witnesses against attempting to identify the culprit on their own. The entire interview should be video-recorded.
- Evidence-Based Suspicion Recommendation: There should be evidence-based grounds to suspect that an individual is guilty of the specific crime being investigated, before including that individual in an identification procedure.
- Double-Blind (or Equivalent) Recommendation: Lineups should be conducted using a double-blind procedure or an equally effective method of preventing the lineup administrator from inadvertently influencing the witness.
- Lineup Fillers Recommendation: The lineup should contain at least 5 appropriate fillers who match the suspect based on the eyewitness’s description but do not make the suspect stand out.
- Prelineup Instructions Recommendation: Witnesses should be told that (a) the culprit might not be present; (b) the lineup administrator does not know which person is the suspect; (c) they do not have to make an identification; (d) if a decision is made, the witness will be asked to state their confidence; (e) the investigation will continue whether the witness makes an identification.
- Immediate Confidence Statement Recommendation: As soon as identification decision is made.
- Video-Recording Recommendation: Video-record the entire identification procedure
- Avoid Repeated Identifications Recommendation: Repeating a suspect in multiple identification attempts should be avoided, regardless of whether the eyewitness identified the suspect in the initial identification procedure.
- Showups Recommendation: Showups shouldn't be used if a lineup is possible, and should use procedural safeguards.
Focus
- Double-blind recommendation keep knowledge about the suspect from the administrator
- There should be no officers in the room where the identification procedure is conducted who know which lineup member is the suspect
- A different blind administrator should conduct the lineup with each witness.
- A lineup is a test of the hypothesis that the person whom the police suspect is in fact the culprit of the crime.
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