Eyewitness Testimony and Suspect Identification - Essay Example

Replace 2 with this Eyewitness testimony and suspect identification occupies a place of importance within the criminal justice process. While the use of eyewitnesses has proven beneficial countless times, the fact is that eyewitness testimony and identification can be unreliable due to a wide range of factors outlined in this study. The aim of this study emanates from the importance of eyewitness testimony and identification within the context of eyewitness unreliability. The first aim is the evaluation of eyewitness reliability by testing recall and recognition and the second is the provision of a set of recommendation designed to enhance eyewitness reliability, following the identification of the variables which promote and those which undermine it. In order to fulfil the study's first aim, recall and recognition will be tested in 100 to 150 adult participants. Eyewitness identification accuracy will be observed during this process. Participants will be required to watch a brief video, following this video participants will be required to answer a series of questions pertaining to that video. Another data collection will involve participants completing an online questionnaire which assesses accuracy of recognition and recall. The experiment aims at identifying the misidentification rates of adults and how recognition and recall can lead to false eyewitness testimony and subsequent false identification. In order to fulfil the study's second aim, the literature on the factors which promote and those which inhibit eyewitness accuracy will be reviewed. A list of inhibitors and promotors will be generated and subsequently employed to inform a set of recommendations for the enhancement of eyewitness accuracy. 1.4 also check Children and young adults - design specifically excludes People highly dependant on medical care - design specifically excludes 1.5 also check Photos Computer based tests Replace 2.1.2.4 with The researcher will organise and maintain a web based questionnaire and online video through Surveymonkey. The researcher will send the website a participants' inclusion and exclusion criteria and specify that all respondents are to be from Australia. A 100-150 participant figure will be requested. Surveymonkey will then inform its relevant participant database of the survey. 3.2. Research plan 3.2.1 Describe the theoretical, empirical and/or conceptual basis, and background evidence, for the research proposal, eg. previous studies, anecdotal evidence, review of literature, prior observation, laboratory or animal studies. NS 1.13 The goal of the proposed research is to examine conditions that may influence eyewitness memory. Wells and Loftus (2003) used a 'memory as trace' (p. 149) metaphor to compare physical evidence and memory. That is, memory for an event can leave a trace in the brain just like physical evidence (e.g., fingerprints, blood, and semen) can in the outside world. As will be discussed at length later, eyewitness identification procedures can be employed to minimize any bias or suggestion that can contaminate a witness memory. In the present studies the effects of certain estimator variables on eyewitness identification will be examined. More specifically, the issue of whether knowledge that one is viewing a crime suspect, compared to learning that one had seen a suspect after-the-fact, and the seriousness of the crime for which the suspect is wanted, will be investigated for their influence on identification accuracy in line-ups in which the suspect is either absent or present. An additional question is whether crime severity enhances memory for an individual, or whether attention needs to be directed towards the individual to influence memory. There is equivocal evidence that crimes of a more serious nature increase motivation to attend to the criminal scenario (Leippe, Wells, & Ostrom, 1978), while others do not support this finding. As eyewitness investigation is relevant to psychologists, the legal system, witnesses, the accused, and society at large, it is necessary to review and evaluate research that has been influential in establishing its protocol. To get a better understanding of the abovementioned issues, major research findings regarding eyewitness memory will be reviewed. These include the recommended procedures for preparing and conducting line-ups, contextual factors that influence memory and subsequent accuracy, and what real-world eyewitness investigations have shown. The current studies utilize the recent recommendations (see Technical Working Group, 1999) to address previous research on crime severity and knowledge (e.g., Delbecq-Derousne, Beauvois, & Shallice, 1990; Leippe et al., 1978; Nelson & Fivush, 2004). The extant research suggests that even if encoding conditions are not ideal, measures can be taken to reduce bias in line-ups that may lead to false identification. Moreover, identifying conditions that lead to accurate processing of events may help researchers understand how individual and contextual factors interact to produce optimal identification situations. 3.2.2 State the aims of the research and the research question and/or hypotheses, where appropriate. The research questions which were generated as a result of this concern are: What is the relationship between line-up environment and identification accuracy What are the inhibitors to identification accuracy among children and adults How may law enforcement contribute to, and promote eyewitness accuracy Is it possible to design and implement an ideal line-up environment, which would promote accuracy and inhibit inaccuracy The hypotheses are: There is an immediate correlation between line-up environment and recall accuracy among adults. When they feel under pressure and compelled to make an identification adult eyewitnesses tend towards misidentification. 3.6. Use of information about participants 3.6.1 Describe how information collected about participants will be used in this project. No personal or identifying information will be collected about the participants. Demographic information, such as age, however, will be used to determine whether there is a correlation between age groups and eyewitness identification accuracy levels. 3.6.4 List ALL research personnel and others who, for the purposes of this research, will have authority to use or have access to the information and describe the nature of the use or access. Examples of others are: student supervisors, research monitors, pharmaceutical company monitors. None except the principle researcher will have access to participant information. 3.12.2 What expected benefits (if any) will this research have for the wider community The importance of this study stems from the centrality of eyewitness testimony in criminal proceedings and the day-to-day operations of law enforcement agencies, not just in Australia but, across the world. By investigating the sources of eyewitness inaccuracy, the research will contribute to a more informed understanding of the factors which affect inaccuracy and those which promote accuracy. The findings of the said investigation will contribute to the proposition of an ideal line-up situation, such as would promote accuracy. 3.12.7 Explain how the dignity and wellbeing of participants takes precedence over the expected benefits to knowledge. Participation is strictly voluntary and no personal and identifying data will be collected at any point from the participants. 3.13.1 What mechanisms do the researchers intend to implement to monitor the conduct and progress of the research project None besides the design of a timeline for the completion of each stage of the project. 5. PARTICIPANTS 5.1. Participant description 5.1.3.1 Group name for participants in this group Eyewitness 5.1.3.2 Expected number of participants in this group 100-150 5.1.3.3 Age range 18- 55 5.1.3.4 Other relevant characteristics of this participant group No visual impairments which cannot be corrected through the use of glasses or contact lenses 5.1.3.5 Why are these characteristics relevant to the aims of the project Uncorrected visual impairment will only maximise the potential for eyewitness misidentification. 5.2. Participant experience 5.2.1 Provide a concise detailed description, in not more than 200 words, in terms which are easily understood by the lay reader, of what the participants will experience. Each participant will be tested individually. They will have the option to log onto the website at the time of their convenience and at a place of their choosing. Upon clicking the START SURVEY tab, a screen detailing the purpose of the study will be displayed and the stages of the survey will be explained. When participants are ready to view the video, they will click the START VIDEO tab. There will be a delayed interval of twenty minutes between the video and the facial recognition questionnaire. During this delayed interval, participants will view unrelated video material and play a round of memory games. The purpose of the interval and the activities described is to distance the participants from the video they had just seen for the purposes of testing delayed facial recall. 5.3. Relationship of researchers to participants There is no relationship 5.4. Recruitment 5.4.1 What processes will be used to identify potential participants Participants will be recruited through the website by the website administrators. 5.4.3 Describe how initial contact will be made with potential participants. No contact whatsoever will be made between the researcher and the participants. Surveymonkey.com does not allow direct contact between survey participants and researchers. 5.4.2 Is it proposed to 'screen' or assess the suitability of the potential participants for the study No 5.4.2.1.1 How will this be done Not relevant 5.5. Consent process 5.5.1 Will consent for participation in this research be sought from all participants Yes 5.5.1.2.1 Will there be participants who have capacity to give consent for themselves Yes 5.5.1.2.1.1 What mechanisms/assessments/tools are to be used, if any, to determine each of these participant's capacity to decide whether or not to participate Age and no history of mental disorder 5.5.1.2.1.2.1 Will there be participants who do not have capacity to give consent for themselves No 5.5.1.1.3 Describe the consent process, ie how participants or those deciding for them will be informed about, and choose whether or not to participate in, the project. Potential participants will be notified by the website administrators of the study and will be given access to the consent form which includes a description of the study and the survey itself. Only those who voluntarily consent will participate in the study. 5.5.1.1.4 If a participant or person on behalf of a participant chooses not to participate, are there specific consequences of which they should be made aware, prior to making this decision None at all. Participation is strictly voluntary. 5.5.1.1.5 If a participant or person on behalf of a participant chooses to withdraw from the research, are there specific consequences of which they should be made aware, prior to giving consent No, they can withdraw at any time. There are no consequences to doing so 5.5.1.1.6 Specify the nature and value of any proposed incentive/payment (eg. movie tickets, food vouchers) or reimbursement (eg travel expenses) to participants. There is none 5.5.1.1.7 Explain why this offer will not impair the voluntary nature of the consent, whether by participants' or persons deciding for their behalf. NS 1.10 Not relevant 5.5.1.1.8 Provide the name and/or position of the contact person for any concerns in relation to the ethical conduct of the research / complaints process NS 2.39 - 2.42 info@surveymonkey.com.au Read More