Understanding Eyewitness Evidence in Criminal Cases: A Sensitive Skeptic’s Guide

Presented by Martin A. Safer, PhD,
Emeritus Professor of Psychology,
The Catholic University of America
Inaccurate eyewitness testimony and false confessions are two of the most common reasons for wrongful convictions in criminal cases. Using an actual case, Dr. Safer illustrates why eyewitnesses may be inaccurate. However, it is wrong to presume that all eyewitness testimony is unreliable. Dr. Safer presents research on how to improve the quality of eyewitness evidence. Legal professionals around the world, as well as ordinary citizens, are relatively unaware of both the flaws and potential strengths of eyewitness evidence. Dr. Safer describes the Interview-Identification-Eyewitness Factors (I-I-Eye) educational aid which helps sensitize individuals to judge more appropriately what is likely to be accurate versus inaccurate eyewitness evidence.
Professor Safer is Emeritus Professor of Psychology at the Catholic University of America, where he taught for more than 35 years. He has more than 70 peer-reviewed publications, primarily in the areas of emotions and memory, including publications on eyewitness evidence and confession evidence. He has also served as an expert consultant on eyewitness evidence in criminal cases.
Views presented in this video are those of the apeaker and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Capital Area Skeptics.

[@coffeeandluten]

I think the book, Minority Report (1956) mentioned this issue. Shame the movie didn't really touch the topic.

[@KainusGulch]

This would be good to watch before going into the police academy, for any one looking to be a police detective....

[@AthosRac]

@Crimson Knowledge is never useless.

[@ZColl-pb4cq]

In the 70s the police cornered to bank robbers in the bank they finally got some hostages released. The hostages came out and it seemed the only thing they had to say was the bank robbers had really big guns one person even told about how big the muscle was. And at that time which I think is like now most people have some recollection of how big guns are but in our case when the bank robbers give up they had 22's. They don't put 22's on a big frame and they have a very small muscles.

[@gorillaguerillaDK]

Just one more reason to why the Death penalty should be abolished....

[@AthosRac]

Or just applied with science that provide 100%!

[@VicariousReality7]

Hearsay is not evidence.

[@davidjohnson8655]

Yes it is, it's just not good evidence, and its typically not admissible in court. Outside of a court hearsay is possibly the most common form of evidence, and the cornerstone of gossip.

[@perkeyser2032]

Take your hands away from your face!! It takes a lot of the professionalism out of the talk and is a very disturbing "tic".