A discussion of the reliability of eyewitness testimonies in the conviction of criminals.
Written in 2008; 2,410 words; 10 sources; APA; $ 73.95
Paper Summary:
This paper reviews research into eyewitness identification credibility. It points out that, with the advent of DNA testing, many innocent people that were convicted primarily on eyewitness testimonies, have been exonerated of their crimes. The paper also adds that the courts are very suspect of expert testimonies by psychologists, and precedent is strongly in favor of limiting this type of testimony. The courts are in favor of letting the jury determine the accuracy of witnesses, not having psychologists testify as to their believability. The paper concludes that though there is research on both sides of the issue, there is clearly a need for additional research.
From the Paper:
"The research conducted by Ebbensen and Konecni go directly to these most vital aspects of the criminal justice system in the paper entitled "Eyewitness Memory Research: Probative v. Prejudicial Value". The conflict between psychology and the legal system appears at an impasse. The legal system thrives on eyewitness or first hand knowledge of events, it is at its very Constitutional foundation. Psychologists have made numerous scientific inquiries into the fundamental unreliability of memory and how memories can be tainted by prior events and by subsequent events. Memories fade, but nobody is sure how fast this occurs, and if there is a practical way to measure it. The legal system depends on facts presented to juries to arrive at justice, psychologists have generated numerous studies to present the facts of human memory, yet the courts rarely allow this testimony into the courtroom. In the Libby case, the core of the case was the reliability of Libby's memory when recounting events to federal investigators. Libby was accused of lying to the federal investigators, and was prepared to offer scientific evidence of his poor memory. The judge in the case excluded the testimony, again citing the Daubert rule, not wanting a psychologist to tell the jury how to rule on the guilt or innocence of Libby (Erickson, 2007, n.p.)."
We have thousands of high-quality term papers, research papers, essays, book reports and dissertations on every topic. At AcaDemon, you can download those term papers to help you write yours! You can be sure that the term paper, essay, book report or research paper you download are top-quality, competitively priced and high-level work.
This Free Term Paper Abstract is a part of our Term Paper Library.Here you can purchase research papers, examples of essays, academic dissertations, articles, notes, analytical papers, book reports, stories and poems. We have thousands of persuasive, point-of-view, narrative, critical, compare and contrast and other types of essays in our Library. You can also find here Term papers on "Credibility of Eyewitness Testimony", Essays on "Credibility of Eyewitness Testimony", Research papers on "Credibility of Eyewitness Testimony", Student papers on "Credibility of Eyewitness Testimony", Book reports on "Credibility of Eyewitness Testimony", Dissertation on "Credibility of Eyewitness Testimony", Thesis on "Credibility of Eyewitness Testimony", Summary of paper on "Credibility of Eyewitness Testimony", Articles written on "Credibility of Eyewitness Testimony".
Look for more research papers, essays and book reports on