The Double-Edged Sword of Suggestion: How Police Questioning can taint Eyewitness Memory

 

Imagine a witness peering through a one-way glass at a lineup of suspects. The officer asks, which one of these men did it? This seemingly straightforward question presents a problem. It implies the perpetrator is present, pressuring the witness to choose someone, even if uncertain. A better approach would be to acknowledge that the culprit might not be in the lineup (Goldstein 2019).

From Uncertainty to Conviction: How Feedback Can Alter Memories

Goldstein (2019) asks us to consider this real-life example:

1. A witness hesitantly points to a suspect in a lineup and then wavers over their decision.
2. The officer says-  Okay.
3. Months later, the witness claims absolute certainty about their initial choice at trial.
4. The officers' seeming neutral response may have subtly influenced the withess' memory, transforming a tentative pick into an unshakeable conviction.

The Power of Confirmation: How Feedback Shapes Confidence

In 1998, Wells and Bradfield reinforced this concern with a study (Goldstein 2019):

1. Participants viewed a crime video and then picked a suspect from a photo spread that didn't include the actual perpetrator.
2. Everyone made a choice and then received either confirming feedback ("Good, you identified the suspect"), neutral feedback, or disconfirming feedback.
3. Those who received confirmation were more confident in their incorrect identification.

This phenomenon, called the post-identification feedback effect, creates a significant problem. Juries weigh eyewitness confidence heavily. So, faulty identifications and a confidence boost from police feedback can lead to wrongful convictions.

Protecting Witness Memory: The Need for Precaution

The ease with which memories can be influenced by suggestion highlights the need for caution during witness questioning, and unfortunately, such precautions are not always taken.

Goldstein (2019) tells us that the good news is that steps are being implemented to improve the situation. 

References

Goldstein, B. (2019). Cognitive Psychology: Connecting Mind, Research, and Everyday Experience (5th ed.) [Review of Cognitive Psychology: Connecting Mind, Research, and Everyday Experience]. Cengage.