Eye Witness

Eyewitness testimony is a powerful tool within any field, particularly that of justice, as it is a readily recognised form of evidence that allows for convictions. Tests conducted in 1979 (Loftus) have shown an enormous 54% swing from a non-guilty verdict, to that of guilty within the same gaffe simply through the introduction of an witness. This wholly displays the potency of eyewitness testimony, and asserts the theory that jurors tend to over believe, or at to the lowest degree weigh heavily on such evidence (Kennedy & Haygood, 1992).

regrettably in its present state, eyewitness evidence though technically reliable in its own right tends to convict unimpeachable individuals in a devastatingly high proportion, estimated at 45% (Loftus & Ketcham, 1991). This alone proves to be the single highest instigator of wrongful conviction, even higher(prenominal) than wrongful conviction types combined. The cause, as pointed out by umteen social psychologists, is directly related (among other things) to casual remarks and imperceptible body messages that take place between the eyewitnesses and those who administer shady lineups and photo spreads. In fact, any activity that condones (Okay, we had a disembodied spirit that he might have been the one.) or bolsters (Great! We knew it was him.



) an eyewitnesss testimony is inevitably distorting that witnesss retention (Chartier, 1997) by filling in vague and fuzzy retrospection with fictional facts. This kind of feedback can artificially increase the agency level of the eyewitness by possibly inspiring chimerical perceptions such as if the police believe it, then they moldiness be right, and after all, if they did not have a suspect they would not require the assi side of the witness. Tests conducted by the National Science Foundation (1997) revealed that once memory has been perverted in this way, a straightforward cross-examination will fail to blot inaccurate recollections. Furthermore, eyewitnesses will even tend to change their stance as to how well they...If you want to get a undecomposed essay, order it on our website: Orderessay



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