More Factors that Can Affect the Accuracy of Eye Witness Testimony
3. Transference
Information witnesses hear after a crime can impact the reliability and accuracy of their eye witness testimony. Contact us for the best defense in a criminal case.
Transference is the act of transferring one’s emotions, ideas or perceptions onto another individual. In terms of eye witness testimony, this can end up meaning that witnesses end up transferring their experience onto someone whom they may have seen on a previous occasion, thereby causing them to wrongfully identify a person as the suspect in a crime.
For example, it’s not uncommon for eye witness testimony to mistakenly identify someone as a suspect because the witness may have seen that suspect on some other occasion prior to the crime.
4. Information obtained after the incident
When eye witness testimony is given, the assumption is that we are hearing the version of events exactly as they happened in the perspective of a particular witness. This, however, is not always the case, as it is very possible that information that witnesses end up hearing or obtaining after the crime or incident ends up making its way into their story and version of events.
For instance, let’s say that an eye witness allegedly saw a suspect in a liquor store robbery enter the store. Then, days later, the eye witness ends up hearing that the suspect fled the scene on a motorcycle. It’s quite possible that hearing this piece of information may end up changing the eye witness testimony so that now the witness claims to have heard the motorcycle departing from the scene of the robbery.
This fact about eye witness testimony can be very troubling, especially if it’s been some time since an alleged crime occurred and witnesses have been exposed to all sorts of information (including from news reports, police, alleged victims, etc.). In these cases, it will be essential to carefully review the initial eye witness testimony and statements given to police and see how (or whether) these statements may have changed over time.
Be sure to look for the upcoming conclusion to this blog series!
Colorado Springs Criminal Defense Lawyers at Kohn Law Firm
Have you or a loved one been charged with a misdemeanor or felony crime? If so, the Colorado Springs criminal defense attorneys at Kohn Law Firm are ready to aggressively defend your rights and help you bring your case to a successful resolution. At Kohn Law Firm, we believe that our clients deserve exceptional service, ethical treatment and aggressive representation. That’s why we are here to help you navigate the complexities of an intricate criminal justice system, minimize the negative impacts on you and your family, and ultimately help you protect your freedom and future.
As a former Deputy District Attorney, Shimon Kohn understands how prosecutors build their cases, and he knows how to dispute their allegations while figuring out the best potential legal remedies to vigorously defend you.
When you want to trust that you will obtain the best possible outcome to your case, don’t hesitate to contact the Colorado Springs criminal defense lawyers at Kohn Law Firm
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