Eyewitnesses memory for faces in actual criminal cases: An archival analysis of positive facial composites

Abstract

Facial composites are crucial in the criminal justice system. In this archival study, we investigated the assumption that the success of facial composites depends partly on variables related to the crime, which either impairs or facilitates mnemonic processes. When a facial composite is successful in taking an offender to court it is sometimes archived as a positive facial composite, including a photo of the culprit and information about the crime. A total of 88 positive facial composites were investigated. The accuracy of facial composites was tested as a function of five variables related to the crime: type of crime, presence of weapon, retention interval, exposure duration, and disguise. Participants judged the resemblance of the perpetrators' photo with their correspondent facial composite. The results pointed out that only exposure duration was significantly associated with facial composites accuracy. Possible implications and future directions for research using archived facial composites are discussed.

Does exposure to facial composites damage eyewitness memory? A comprehensive review

“…Most studies reported here were conducted with older, feature‐based composite systems. Clearly, similar studies with newer, holistic composite construction systems (e.g., Hancock, 2000; Saraiva et al, 2018; Skelton et al, 2019; Tredoux et al, 1999; Tredoux et al, 2006) are necessary to update our knowledge. Because witnesses may be repeatedly exposed to composites constructed by others, for example via television, the press, and social media, future studies should not only use different retention intervals, but also investigate repeated exposure.…”

“…By publishing the composite, police investigators hope that a member of the public will recognize the person depicted and report this to the police (Davies & Valentine, 2007; Shepherd & Ellis, 1996). Face composites have been used by the police across the globe for many decades, from the US to Europe and Australia and many other countries, including Brazil, South Africa and in former socialist and communist countries (Saraiva et al, 2018; Schmidt & Tredoux, 2006; Shepherd & Ellis, 1996; Snetkow, Sinin, & Delang, 1981).…”