Eyewitness memory under scrutiny in wrongful conviction cases
A detailed examination shows eyewitness testimony often misleads juries and frees innocent suspects. DNA exonerations since 1987 reveal misidentifications, with experts like Loftus and Wells highlighting memory distortion, false memories, and biased lineups influencing outcomes. Researchers urge lineup reforms and cautious testimony.
False memory test linked to eyewitness testimony
AP reporter details a memory test where words trigger false recall of sleep, showing how thoughts during events can be misattributed. Kathleen McDermott and Henry Roediger III of Washington University explain implications for eyewitnesses who later confuse recalled faces with real attackers, a pattern seen in cases overturned by DNA evidence.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
William Gregory
Gregory
United States
Elizabeth Loftus
University of Washington
Seattle
Associated Press
Boston
James Doyle
Loftus
Gary Wells
Amy Bradfield
Iowa State University
Wells
Jennifer Thompson
North Carolina
Ronald Cotton
Breckinridge
U.S. Department of Justice
Janet Reno
Northampton
Mass
Ken Patenaude
Texas Southern University
Houston
Center For
Northwestern University School of Law
Kathleen McDermott
Washington University
St. Louis
McDermott
Henry Roediger III
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Barry Willett
Jefferson County
Louisville
Kentucky
Matt Crenson
National Writer
Bluefield
Daily Telegraph
Bluefield Daily Telegraph