Knowledge of Factors Affecting Eyewitness Reliability
Date
2022-05
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Florida Southern College
Abstract
Research has consistently shown that there are contributing factors in the unfair outcome of the justice system, one of which is mistaken eyewitness identification. Eyewitnesses have proven to be unreliable, as seen in the vast amount of wrongful conviction cases. Knowledge of factors that may influence eyewitness identification is crucial in helping to minimize error. We are all connected to the justice system in a way, whether that is a family member in law enforcement, becoming a lawyer, taking part in a jury, etc. The current study tests for the knowledge of eyewitness factors using a questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered to 294 students across various academic disciplines at a small private southeastern college. Differences in knowledge between college majors, exposure to research, course history, and familial involvement in the criminal justice system were tested for.
Description
Honors Thesis Spring 2022
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Keywords
Eyewitness identification, Judgments, Judicial error