Are Eyewitnesses Reliable?

Are Eyewitnesses
Reliable

Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................1
Psychological Background...............................................................................................................1
Eyewitness Reliability: System and Estimator Variables................................................................1
Specific System Variable.................................................................................................................2
Specific System Variable Description....................................................................................2
Specific System Variable Article Summary...........................................................................3
Specific Estimator Variable.............................................................................................................3
Specific Estimator Variable Description................................................................................3
Specific Estimator Variable Article Summary.......................................................................4
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................5
References........................................................................................................................................6

Introduction
Eyewitnesses refer to a person who was present at the crime and observed culprit attempting the
whole criminal action. It is required to carry out accurate identification of witness because their
statement can make decision of right and wrong regarding punishment of court (Jones and
Penrod, 2018). It is mandatory for police force to make sure that witness is honestly giving
statement by identifying proves that they were actually present at the place and time of specific
incident happen. In context of this assignment, it is based on the question that “Are eyewitness
identifications reliable?” which is going to be addressed.
Psychological Background
In this project, the area considered is eyewitness testimony that is related to psychology that is
helpful to evaluate trustworthiness of an individual regarding their statement. The eyewitness
testimony can be defined as a legal term which consists about an account given by people of an
incident they have witnessed. Basically, it has been analysed that eyewitness testimony is known
to be an important area in terms of research in cognitive psychology as well as human memory.
It involves the criterion that juries should pay attention to eyewitness testimony and usually find
it reliable sources of information which can be considered by court in decision for respective
culprit (Wixted, Read and Lindsay, 2016). However, it includes number of aspects that are
required to be investigated such as anxiety or stress, reconstructive memory, weapon focus and
leading questions because eyewitness testimony can get affected by these psychological elements
accordingly. It is very important to conduct proper research about eyewitness in order to make
sure that their statement is accurate as well as reliable. The witness play an important role in
terms of delivering legal punishment to an individual then it essential ensure that desired person
should be punished. It is observed that legal important aspect consist about the fact, a culprit
must be punished but an innocent should not be punished by any means. However, it has been
evaluated that psychological investigation is must to be conducted to make sure reliability of
eyewitness so that actual culprit of crime will be punished but not the innocent one.
Eyewitness Reliability: System and Estimator Variables
Eyewitness reliability is known as an important aspect that should be investigated with the help
of using psychological aspects to ensure accuracy of their statements. It includes the specific
system and estimating variables that are required to be considered in order to study the reliability
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