Eyewitness Testimony: Reliability and Impact
This worksheet explores the reliability of eyewitness testimony, factors influencing its accuracy, and its impact on the justice system for Grade 10 Social Studies students.
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Eyewitness Testimony: Reliability and Impact
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Read each question carefully and provide thoughtful answers based on your understanding of eyewitness testimony and the justice system.
1. Which of the following factors is LEAST likely to affect the accuracy of eyewitness testimony?
The witness's stress level during the event.
The presence of a weapon during the crime.
The witness's favorite color.
The time elapsed between the event and the testimony.
2. The 'misinformation effect' primarily describes:
A witness intentionally lying in court.
How post-event information can alter a witness's memory.
The inability of a witness to recall any details.
The phenomenon of false confessions.
1. Eyewitness testimony is generally considered the most reliable form of evidence in a criminal trial.
True
False
2. Confidence in one's testimony is a strong indicator of its accuracy.
True
False
1. The phenomenon where a witness focuses on a weapon during a crime, thereby impairing their memory of other details, is known as the effect.
2. When a witness identifies a suspect from a lineup, but the suspect is not the perpetrator, it is called a identification.
1. Briefly explain why eyewitness testimony, despite its persuasive nature, can be unreliable.
2. Describe at least two measures that can be taken to improve the accuracy of eyewitness identification procedures.