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Utilizing Eyewitness Testimony in Court


# 22740
Utilizing Eyewitness Testimony in Court
The paper discusses the use of eyewitness testimony in the American judicial system.
1,066 words (approx. 4.3 pages) | 11 sources | APA | 2002 United States


Paper Summary:

In the American legal system, eyewitness testimony is admissible in court as substantive evidence in both civil and criminal cases. In criminal cases, it is admissible to weigh toward the guilt or innocence of a defendant. The paper shows that eyewitness testimony given in court has its benefits and detriments, but all things considered, it is a valuable and necessary component of the American justice system. The paper focuses on the problems of eyewitness testimony and offers solutions. It also uses the Supreme Court case of Kumho Tire v. Patrick Carmichael to illustrate points in the paper.

From the Paper:

"Specifically, the reliability of eyewitnesses and their memory should be tested by the trial judge. Psychological studies have repeatedly shown that memory is flawed and often even illusory. For this very reason, law enforcement professionals are specially trained to remember specific details of the scene of a crime as it occurs, because memory is notoriously fickle.

To test eyewitnesses' memory and reliability, trial judges should use the factors similar to those utilized for expert witnesses, such as scientific testing and error rate testing in regard to memory recollection.
This is the only reliable way of determining whether eyewitnesses' accounts should be admitted in a court of law."

Cite this paper

APA Citation:

Utilizing Eyewitness Testimony in Court (2012, January 15). Retrieved February 13, 2012, from http://www.academon.com/Essay-Utilizing-Eyewitness-Testimony-in-Court/22740

MLA Citation:

"Utilizing Eyewitness Testimony in Court" 15 January 2012. Web. 13 Feb. 2012. <http://www.academon.com/Essay-Utilizing-Eyewitness-Testimony-in-Court/22740>




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Published by:

Brandi Woods US
Publisher Since:
Nov 25, 2002
I enjoyed writing academic, technical and creative papers and am qualified and experienced in all types. All my papers are original and of the highest quality.
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