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Eyewitnesses

Over 75,000 people a year are charged with crimes on the basis of eyewitness identifications, but too rarely is this evidence challenged (or suppressed). The last 30 years have created a broad, sophisticated, and well-researched consensus among social scientists that human memory is subject to specific, non-intuitive influences. More than lighting conditions and elapsed time, subjects like lineup procedures, witness confidence inflation, weapon focus, and the difficulty of cross-racial identifications headline research. Defenders now have an obligation to use this science in the courtroom to challenge jurors’ and judges’ misconceptions and, where necessary, fight bad outdated precedents.

Where do I start?   Submit a Document
 
  • Forensics Library
    • Eyewitness Identification Eyewitness Identification
      • Eyewitness ID Legislative Reforms Eyewitness ID Legislative Reforms
        • New Jersey New Jersey
          Document Online Video of New Jersey Dep. AG Linskey on their reforms This Streaming Video is taken from Dep. AG Lori Linskey's presentation to the D.C. Council on Nov. 15, 2004. It highlights NJ's successful implementation of eyewitness ID reform. NOTE: SELECT SEGMENTS 4-5 FOR NOV. 15 ON THE WEBPAGE TO HEAR DR. ...
          [ Submitter: DC PDS  |  more info/full abstract ]
          Document NJ Attorney General Guidelines for Lineup Procedures In 2001 New Jersey became the first state to institute double-blind, sequential lineups. The guidelines are non-statutory "best practices" that nonetheless are required of every law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction by the NJ Attorney General.
          [ more info ]