Understanding how memory can be changed or distorted is very important for people in the legal field. It affects how reliable eyewitness testimony is and can influence the results of court cases.
Research shows that around 75% of wrongfully convicted people were wrongly identified by witnesses. This means that many innocent people might be punished unfairly due to mistakes made by eyewitnesses.
Also, studies have found that the way a question is asked can change what a witness remembers. For example, up to 70% of witnesses may recall wrong details after hearing misleading information.
Here are some important facts to consider:
Memory Trustworthiness: Eyewitness testimony isn't always correct. About 40% of witnesses change what they say when asked again.
Memory Loss: People often forget things quickly. Memory accuracy can drop by about 50% after just a few months.
It’s essential for legal professionals to understand that memory can be distorted. This knowledge can help them work towards justice.
By using ideas from cognitive psychology, they can make the evidence more reliable. This will help improve the fairness and trustworthiness of the judicial system overall.
Understanding how memory can be changed or distorted is very important for people in the legal field. It affects how reliable eyewitness testimony is and can influence the results of court cases.
Research shows that around 75% of wrongfully convicted people were wrongly identified by witnesses. This means that many innocent people might be punished unfairly due to mistakes made by eyewitnesses.
Also, studies have found that the way a question is asked can change what a witness remembers. For example, up to 70% of witnesses may recall wrong details after hearing misleading information.
Here are some important facts to consider:
Memory Trustworthiness: Eyewitness testimony isn't always correct. About 40% of witnesses change what they say when asked again.
Memory Loss: People often forget things quickly. Memory accuracy can drop by about 50% after just a few months.
It’s essential for legal professionals to understand that memory can be distorted. This knowledge can help them work towards justice.
By using ideas from cognitive psychology, they can make the evidence more reliable. This will help improve the fairness and trustworthiness of the judicial system overall.