Why Is Eyewitness Testimony Reliable

What happens when there is no evidence to be used against the person being accused of committing a crime? Is someone’s word enough to put someone else behind bars? Is it even reliable? Eyewitness testimony is a primary source of evidence used in justice systems all around the world. While an eyewitness account may be the only evidence a witness has, it may or may not be what they actually saw. Juries focus heavily on eyewitness testaments, and generally find testimonies reliable sources of information. However, research has found eyewitness testimonies unreliable. They can be affected by psychological factors such as anxiety, stress, trauma, selective attention and reconstructive memory. Also, one’s testament may be unreliable due to their
During a photo lineup or physical lineup, police may lead the witness to choosing a specific person or may lead the witness to thinking the person they picked is actually the culprit who committed the crime. “Police and prosecutors have long relied on eyewitness crimes to identify criminals, and the testimony of witnesses has a unique powerful influence on juries and judges during criminal trials” (Bailenson). On May 5, 1970 Jimmy Glover, an undercover policeman, bought drugs from a guy in an apartment, and then described this dealer to his work partner. Based on the description of a tall, dark, African American male, with a black short afro, high cheek bones, and a heavy build, his partner, D’Onofrio, figured out the dealer was a guy named Brathwaite (Manson v. Brathwaite 432 U.S. 98 (1977)). D’Onofrio did not provide Glover any other suspects. Essentially, he showed Glover one photo and said, “I think this is the guy.” Brathwaite was charged with possession and sale of heroin. In court, Glover testified that this suspect was not the same dealer he had encountered. After the Connecticut Supreme Court affirmed the conviction, Braithwaite held a petition, arguing the testimony violated the Due Process Clause. Essentially, states cannot take life, liberty, or property without a fair trial. Brathwaite’s petition was dismissed by the District Court, however the Court of Appeals held that the photograph should have
“At the core of an eyewitness identification is the ability to recognize unfamiliar faces….” (Walker). One traumatizing and emotional case is that of Jennifer Thompson. It was hot and humid in Burlington, North Carolina, on the night of July 28th 1984. Jennifer Thompson, then, a 22-year old college student had returned to her apartment after a night out with her boyfriend. At 3’O clock in the morning, Jennifer heard a noise, thinking it was her boyfriend. Little did she know it was an intruder. He had shattered the light at her back door, cut her phone line, and broke into her house. “When I asked who was there, the person jumped on me and I was on my back. He grabbed my arms and pinned them to the side of my head and put a knife to my throat” (Thompson). At that point Jennifer screamed. The man who was on top of her told her that if she did not “shut up” he was going to kill her. Jennifer tried anything in order to get out of the situation. “…I told him take anything he wanted, he could have my money …[or] my credit card, and he told me he didn’t want my money” (Thompson). Jennifer knew the situation was not going to end well. The man who had jumped on her began to rape her. “I knew he was carrying a knife and that my odds of physically protecting myself were minimal” (Thompson). Jennifer did what she thought