The Effect of Different Photo Lineup Descriptions of an Eyewitness Testimony on Identifying Suspects in a Criminal Investigation
School Name
Heathwood Hall
Grade Level
11th Grade
Presentation Topic
Psychology and Sociology
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Abstract
The purpose of this experiment is to test whether computer generated descriptions or eyewitness testimony descriptions are more accurate in a photo lineup when attempting to choose the correct suspect. This will be tested by showing the subjects three different real life cases and mock photo lineups, each consisting 6 photos, four of which are filler photos and the remaining two are photos of the innocently convicted suspect and the guilty suspect. All subjects saw the same three photo lineups and background information of the real life criminal case and trial, however one group was presented with the eyewitness testimony describing the suspect and the other group was presented with a computer generated description. The subjects then chose who they best thought matched the description that corresponded with their group for each lineup. The hypothesis is that if subjects are given the computer generated description, then they will be more likely to chose the correct suspect in the photo lineup. The null hypothesis is if subjects are given the description from the eyewitness testimony, then they will be more likely to chose the correct suspect in the photo lineup. The two control groups proved that there in fact was not a significant difference between the two descriptions, thus rejecting the hypothesis that the computer generated description was more accurate. The null hypothesis was also rejected, that the eyewitness testimony would be more accurate, because the data showed no significant difference.
Recommended Citation
Comer, Lydia, "The Effect of Different Photo Lineup Descriptions of an Eyewitness Testimony on Identifying Suspects in a Criminal Investigation" (2017). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 254.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2017/all/254
Location
Wall 305
Start Date
3-25-2017 11:30 AM
Presentation Format
Oral and Written
Group Project
No
The Effect of Different Photo Lineup Descriptions of an Eyewitness Testimony on Identifying Suspects in a Criminal Investigation
Wall 305
The purpose of this experiment is to test whether computer generated descriptions or eyewitness testimony descriptions are more accurate in a photo lineup when attempting to choose the correct suspect. This will be tested by showing the subjects three different real life cases and mock photo lineups, each consisting 6 photos, four of which are filler photos and the remaining two are photos of the innocently convicted suspect and the guilty suspect. All subjects saw the same three photo lineups and background information of the real life criminal case and trial, however one group was presented with the eyewitness testimony describing the suspect and the other group was presented with a computer generated description. The subjects then chose who they best thought matched the description that corresponded with their group for each lineup. The hypothesis is that if subjects are given the computer generated description, then they will be more likely to chose the correct suspect in the photo lineup. The null hypothesis is if subjects are given the description from the eyewitness testimony, then they will be more likely to chose the correct suspect in the photo lineup. The two control groups proved that there in fact was not a significant difference between the two descriptions, thus rejecting the hypothesis that the computer generated description was more accurate. The null hypothesis was also rejected, that the eyewitness testimony would be more accurate, because the data showed no significant difference.
