Eyewitness Identification

These flashcards cover key concepts related to eyewitness identification techniques, the challenges associated with eyewitness testimony, and the processes involved in conducting investigative interviews.

What are the main purposes of interviewing witnesses in PS250?

To understand what happened and who was involved.

Why should witnesses be separated during testimony?

To prevent the misinformation effect.

What is the cognitive interview technique?

A method that builds rapport to facilitate open communication with witnesses.

What does supportive interview behavior include?

Not interrupting and showing attention to the witness.

What is the recommended talking ratio in interviews?

The interviewer should speak 20% of the time.

What is focused retrieval?

Using directed questions after a free recall.

What is witness-compatible questioning?

Tailoring questions to the witness's verbal and body language.

What should an interviewer do to build rapport?

Encourage a comfortable environment and be respectful.

What type of narrative can help witnesses?

Providing a benign sample narrative for context.

What is the purpose of asking witnesses what happened before the incident?

To help them visualize and recall the event better.

What should be checked to ensure a witness can give testimony?

Basic needs like hunger, thirst, or medication.

What type of questions should be asked during an interview?

Open-ended questions to elicit detailed responses.

What is the purpose of taking notes during an interview?

To remember details for follow-up and clarification.

What approach should be taken with a witness who has finished speaking?

Encourage them to interrupt if they feel something is missing.

Why is eyewitness evidence compelling to jurors?

It is perceived as credible and persuasive.

What is a major issue with eyewitness misidentification?

It is a leading cause of wrongful convictions.

What percentage of wrongful convictions overturned by DNA involved mistaken identifications?

Approximately 70%.

Who was Robert Baltovich wrongfully convicted of?

Homicide in the case of Elizabeth Bane.

How did eyewitnesses contribute to Baltovich's wrongful conviction?

Witnesses provided unreliable identifications from a great distance.

What was the outcome for Leighton Hay in a wrongful conviction case?

He served almost 13 years for a crime he did not commit.

How does intoxication affect eyewitness reliability?

It decreases accuracy due to impaired perception.

What does the term 'misinformation effect' refer to?

Incorporating inaccurate info presented after an event into a recall.

What are system variables in eyewitness identification?

Factors controlled by the Criminal Justice System (CJS) during interviews.

What are estimator variables in this context?

Factors outside CJS control, such as a witness's state of mind.

What is a photo array in an identification process?

A collection of photographs used for witness identification.

How many fillers are included in a Canadian lineup?

11 fillers alongside one suspect.

What is relative judgement?

A selection strategy where witnesses choose the closest match.

What is the difference between simultaneous and sequential lineups?

Simultaneous shows all photos at once; sequential shows one photo at a time.

What is an absolute judgement in eyewitness identification?

Identifying a suspect without comparing to others.

What problems can arise from an absolute judgement showup?

It can be seen as inherently suggestive.

What factors influence eyewitness memory retention?

Attention, retention interval, lighting, and distance.

What is 'own-race bias'?

The tendency to recognize faces from one's own race better than others.

Why are child testimonies significant in abuse cases?

They are often the key evidence since abuse occurs in secrecy.

What is NICHD protocol?

A structured approach for interviewing children about alleged abuse.

What collaborative memory methods work effectively with children?

Using neutral events to practice narrative skills.

What are system variables affecting eyewitness identification?

Instructions and procedures conducted during the lineup.

What is the advantage of blind administration in lineups?

It reduces the risk of suggestiveness from the investigator.

What is the importance of conducting pre-lineup interviews?

To understand the witness's confidence and memory before identification.