Enhancing Eyewitness Memory: Developments in Theory and Practice

Law enforcement and academics working together on cold case investigations: lessons learned and paths forward

“…This is a prime example of how eyewitness testimony can have serious issues and may provide inaccurate information. As humans, we have flawed memories and varied individual perceptions (Newlands, 2004). For instance, facial features are very difficult to remember, and furthermore, prior research has shown that people are less likely to correctly identify a suspect if he/she is of a different race than their own (Meissner and Brigham, 2001).…”

“…The ability to effectively interview or interrogate someone is a skill that can be cultivated and developed by police officers using evidence-based practices (Newlands, 2004). To be an effective interviewer or interrogator, one must be patient, an active listener, personable and non-judgmental.…”

“…To be an effective interviewer or interrogator, one must be patient, an active listener, personable and non-judgmental. One of the most important steps in building and maintaining a rapport with the individual being interviewed or interrogated (Newlands, 2004;Whitehouse et al, 2008).…”

“…To induce a person to speak about something uncomfortable, difficult and potentially incriminating, there must be a comfort level between the interviewer and interviewee (Whitehouse et al, 2008;Newlands, 2004). Even if the interviewee is suspected of committing serious offenses, rapport should still be established at the start of the interrogation.…”