Difference between revisions of "Eyewitness Misidentification"

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== Policy ==
 
== Policy ==
  
Currently no government endorsed policy to reform eyewitness misidentification.  However, lawyers, judges, and law enforcement officials are not unaware of the systemic problems with eyewitness misidentification.  In 1999, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) published a report entitled "Eyewitness Evidence: A Guide for Law Enforcement." (Thompson 2009, 3)  The report provides a guide for standardizing eyewitness identification to minimize errors.  The DOJ supports a methodical approach and provides guidance at every step of investigation from the initial witness interview to instructing the witness during lineups.++fn
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Currently no government endorsed policy to reform eyewitness misidentification.  However, lawyers, judges, and law enforcement officials are not unaware of the systemic problems with eyewitness misidentification.  In 1999, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) published a report entitled "Eyewitness Evidence: A Guide for Law Enforcement." (Thompson 2009, 3)  The report provides a guide for standardizing eyewitness identification to minimize errors.  The DOJ supports a methodical approach and provides guidance at every step of investigation from the initial witness interview to instructing the witness during lineups.
  
Some states have undertaken reforms of their own volition, thought the process is limited to future According to Gary Wells' article for Harvard University's Nieman Foundation for Journalism, reforms have already taken place in New Jersey, Boston (MA), Minneapolis (MN), North Carolina, Wisconsin, Virginia Beach (VA) and Santa Barbara County (CA). (Wells, Nieman Website)  
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Some states have undertaken reforms of their own volition, though the process is limited to future identifications only.  For example, reform programs have begun in New Jersey, North Carolina, and Wisconsin.  In addition, a few cities have begun implementing reform: Boston, MA; Minneapolis, MN; and Virginia Beach, VA. (Wells, Nieman Website)  
  
 
== Solutions to Prevent Eyewitness Misidentification ==
 
== Solutions to Prevent Eyewitness Misidentification ==

Revision as of 14:57, 21 May 2010