NCJ Number
158839
Editor(s)
S L Sporer,
R S Malpass,
G Koehnken
Date Published
1996
Length
326 pages
Annotation
This volume summarizes evidence from various research domains on the subject of eyewitness testimony.
Abstract
The editors invited leading experts in the field of eyewitness testimony to summarize research in their respective specialties. The book contains discussions on: (1) voice recognition by humans and computers, including detailed instructions on conducting voice line-ups; (2) differential aspects of recognition memory in children; (3) the eyewitness memory of the elderly; (4) the special problem of cross-racial identification; (5) psychological aspects of facial image reconstruction techniques; (6) person descriptions; (7) the particular benefits of reinstating context as a means to improve eyewitness memory; (8) particular problems associated with various research paradigms in the eyewitness arena; (9) recommendations on how to conduct line-ups and photo spreads and their proper evaluation; (10) research on eye- and earwitnessing in its United States legal context; (11) a summary and evaluation of research on factors influencing witnesses' ability to perceive and optimally encode information in a witnessed event; (12) the accuracy and usefulness of witnesses' descriptions of offenders; (13) the processes affecting the recognition of human speakers; (14) enhancing eyewitness memory; (15) forensic applications of research on line-ups; (16) problems inherent in using children as witnesses, and in evaluating their evidence; and (17) a summary of the logic and methodology of experimental research in eyewitness psychology. References, footnotes, tables, figures, author index, subject index