title: An examination of the causes and solutions to eyewitness error.
abstract: Eyewitness error is one of the leading causes of wrongful convictions. In fact, the American Psychological Association estimates that one in three eyewitnesses make an erroneous identification. In this review, we look briefly at some of the causes of eyewitness error. We examine what jurors, judges, attorneys, law officers, and experts from various countries know about eyewitness testimony and memory, and if they have the requisite knowledge and skills to accurately assess eyewitness testimony. We evaluate whether legal safeguards such as voir dire, motion-to-suppress an identification, cross-examination, jury instructions, and eyewitness expert testimony are effective in identifying eyewitness errors. Lastly, we discuss solutions to eyewitness error.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of North Dakota , Grand Forks, ND , USA.
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Wise
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Padua , Padua , Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sartori
authors.affiliation: Cognitive Developmental Research Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo , Oslo , Norway.
authors.forename: Svein
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Magnussen
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, The Catholic University of America , Washington, DC , USA.
authors.forename: Martin A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Safer
keywords: causes; error; eyewitness; legal safeguards; solutions