Topic > Accuracy of eyewitness memory - 1148

Human memory is one of the most important tools for remembering past events. The eyewitness is often the key evidence in solving crimes, and also the important evidence in determining who the perpetrator is. Therefore, it is essential to consider the reliability and accuracy of the eyewitness's memory for recalling details of past events to evaluate the crime. This article argues against the argument of the reliability of eyewitness memory in recalling past events. Unfortunately, human memory may not be as reliable as we think, as eyewitness memory may have some limitations and difficulties. Good witnesses are confident and remember details. This argument is supported by researchers Odinot, Wolters, van Koppen (2009) and Morgan, Hazlett G, Baranoski, Doran, Southwich, and Loftus (2007). In Odinot et al. (2009), state that although the accuracy of eyewitness memory is high, confidence is low. Odinot et al. (2009) suggested that jurors considered eyewitness confidence to be one of the most important factors indicating the accuracy of eyewitness memory. Furthermore, in Morgan et al. (2007) demonstrated that there are potential factors such as personally relevant and stressful events that will influence eyewitness memories and biases. These two studies will strongly support this study; Furthermore, both studies are a good source of evidence for people who want to consider the reliability of eyewitness memory for testimony. In this article, the unreliability of human eyewitness memory in recalling past events under stress and other factors will be discussed. Variables that influence the accuracy of eyewitness identification will also be discussed in this article. The purpose of the study by Odinot et al. (2009) is to determine the accuracy at...... middle of paper ......n eyewitness memory is not reliable for perceiving past events. To conclude, it is clear from the results of Odinot et al. (2009) that, although the majority of information recalled from eyewitness memory was correct, there is still a substantial percentage of incorrect eyewitness memory. In Morgan et al. (2007) proposed that much of the inaccuracy of eyewitness memory is perceived and remembered for past events under conditions of high stress. These two studies examine eyewitness memory with different methods, and both studies clearly point out that eyewitness memory is not reliable for remembering past events. These two studies strongly support the argument of this article. Therefore, it is very important that judges and juries carefully consider eyewitness testimony as there is a significant result of inaccurate and low confidence correlation..