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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to use this science in the courtroom to challenge jurors’ and judges’ misconceptions and, where necessary, fight bad outdated precedents.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 Wrongful Convictions Eyewitness ID Wrongful Convictions
        Document Sub-Catagories of Eyewitness Identifications in Wrongful Convictions Appendix b to "How Mistaken and Perjured Eyewitness Testimony Put 46 Innocent..." listed above. E.g. breaks out cases by whether the ID was by a stranger, an accomplice, etc.
        [ Submitter: DC PDS  |  more info ]
        Document Causes of wrongful convictions in death penalty cases Appendix B to "How Mistaken and Perjured Eyewitness Testimony Put 46 Innocent..." listed above. Cites factors at play in wrongful death-penalty convictions from 1972-2001
        [ Submitter: DC PDS  |  more info ]
        Document Summaries of 46 mistaken eyewitness death penalty cases Appendix A to "How Mistaken and Perjured Eyewitness Testimony Put 46 Innocent..." listed above.
        [ Submitter: DC PDS  |  more info ]
        Document How Mistaken and Perjured Eyewitness Testimony Put 46 Innocent... Report listing key facts about known eyewitness identification errors in death penalty cases from 1972-2001. SEE ALSO APPENDICES on this site and via link.
        [ Submitter: DC PDS  |  more info ]