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Eyewitness Identification Resource Guide

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3_dark_clowns_in_an_anenome_max50

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Posted 2 months ago

 

Eyewitness Identification Resource Guide




Misidentifications have contributed to the wrongful conviction of

more than 75% of the 213 people (as of February, 2008) exonerated

through post-conviction DNA testing in the United States. The

single largest cause of wrongful conviction, misidentifications

plague our criminal justice system from the investigative stage

through final disposition.



The Innocence Project closely tracks all eyewitness identification

studies, in an effort to help jurisdictions understand how such

misidentifications happen – and as importantly, what can prevent

them from happening. This Resource Guide synthesizes the most

important information for those considering how to improve the

accuracy of eyewitness identifications.



Mindful of the different political landscapes of each state, this

Guide attempts only to provide its readers with uncontested

scientific research, grounded in years of examination and endorsed

by a wide range of justice and law enforcement organizations, such

as the National Institute of Justice and the International

Association of Chiefs of Police.



The average citizen might assume that eyewitness identifications are

typically accurate, and that DNA exonerations are anomalous flukes.

Surprisingly, however, studies show that the rate at which

eyewitnesses select non-suspect from photo and live lineup members

during the course of an identification procedure hovers around

20%. Of the 213 post-conviction exonerations proven through DNA

testing to date, over 75% included at least one misidentification.

These facts demonstrate that misidentifications are not

irregularities, but rather common occurrences in the course of

criminal investigation.



Misidentifications not only harm the innocent, but damage the

ability of law enforcement to properly investigate crime.

Inaccurate eyewitness identifications can "burn witnesses" and

otherwise confound investigations from the earliest stages. Time is

a critical factor in a successful criminal investigation; when a

misidentification distracts police from the real perpetrator, the

potential for justice diminishes, while the threat to public safety

increases.



DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE





http://www.police-writers.com/articles/eyewitness_identification_resource_guide.html

I'm certainly glad you know the Chief of Police Sir!! At least you know somebody that can post your bail!!!!
Thumb_fairfax_county_-_auxiliary_max50

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Rated +1 | Posted 2 months ago

 

Thanks, Tom! I'm going to share this at work!

"Don't tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results." - George S. Patton
3_dark_clowns_in_an_anenome_max50

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Rated 0 | Posted 2 months ago

 

charlie914 says ...



Thanks, Tom! I'm going to share this at work!



Glad to be of assistance. Some of us "older" guys do have resources on hand!!   :-)  :-)

I'm certainly glad you know the Chief of Police Sir!! At least you know somebody that can post your bail!!!!
Sjoyce_bw_5x7_max50

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Rated 0 | Posted about 1 month ago

 

Thank you for posting this topic. This is certainly a hot topic in law enforcement, and a huge bone of contention among investigators.  Most of the wrongful convictions the Innocence Project has focused upon occurred in past decades, and this fails to take into account the evolution of present investigative practice and scientific advancement.  While unfortunate, wrongful convictions occur in much less than 1% of all criminal cases.  Criminal cases are not based solely upon eyewitness identification.  This is a small but important investigative tool.  Eyewitnesses are known to be less than reliable when attempting to identify a stranger perpetrator, but they can certainly give an investigator a starting point. The traditonal "six-pack" is still the most productive means of witness identification when prepared appropriately.  A sequential, double blind array is only in its infancy in field studies, and did not do well in Illinois. The researcher who advocates the hotly debated sequential double blind photo array, Gary Wells, does not have law enforcement or victims in mind when he attacks investigative process.  He has in mind discrediting law enforcement at all expense.  He is a high dollar "expert defense witness" in the field of eyewitness identification which sullies his research findings.  He has much profit in his future in promoting a process that is not achievable by most law enforcement agencies.  I am not saying that there is no room for improvement, there always is.  I am just saying that this is NOT the huge issue that certain groups are making it out to be.  NIJ has a publication online which discusses this topic, and it is worthwhile reading for all law enforcement officers.  You can read it here: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/journals/258/police-lineups.html  .  Training and education are always beneficial to us as we forge ahead.

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