Reliability of Eyewitness Testimony: A Psychological Analysis

This essay undertakes an analysis of the reliability of eyewitness identification and testimony within the criminal justice system. It explores the psychological aspects of memory recreation and recall, examining how factors such as distance, trauma, and communication barriers can impact the accuracy of eyewitness accounts. The paper references studies and real-world examples, including the John Hartman and Franklin Dayton case, to illustrate the fallibility of eyewitness testimony. It discusses the impact of memory recreation and the use of supplementary measures like lie detection and DNA sampling to assess the credibility of eyewitness accounts. The essay concludes by emphasizing the importance of considering these factors and utilizing additional methods to ensure the reliability of evidence in criminal cases.