IDENTIFYING THE CULPRIT
Assessing Eyewitness Identification
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Human vision
does not
capture
a perfect,
error-free
trace of a
witnessed
event.
Eyewitnesses
make tens of
thousands of
identifications
in criminal
investigations
each year.
Almost ¾
of DNA
exonerations
involved at least
one mistaken
eyewitness
identification.
Many law
enforcement
agencies lack
standard written
policies or
training on
administration of
identification
procedures.
Judges and
juries may not
understand the
limits of
eyewitness
identification,
and may
assign undue
significance
to it.
A stronger, more
focused
research agenda
can lead to
more effective
eyewitness
identification
practices,
yielding more
accurate
identifications.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT
FOR THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM
Implement double-blind eyewitness
identification line-up procedures
Use expert testimony on eyewitness
identification
Establish a National Research Initiative
on Eyewitness Identification
Develop and use standardized
instructions
Use pre-trial judicial inquiry
Undertake additional research on the
variables affecting eyewitness
identification accuracy and reliability

Record the witness’ level of confidence
when he/she makes an initial
identification
Videotape the witness identification
process
FOR RESEARCH
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Develop jury instructions on eyewitness
identification
Use a range of statistical tools to
evaluate witness performance
Copyright 2014. National Academy of Sciences. Read the report at www.nap.edu/eyewitness