The Young Eyewitness: How Well Do Children and Adolescents Describe and Identify Perpetrators?

Synopsis

Every Year, Numerous Crimes Involving Child Eyewitnesses Occur. In Some Cases, Children Are The Only Eyewitnesses, Which Makes Their Testimony Especially Critical For Solving The Cases. But How Reliable Is Child Eyewitness Evidence? This Book Summarizes The Research On How Well Children Can Describe An Event And Perpetrator, Which Is A Recall Task, And How Well They Can Identify The Perpetrator In Person Or In Photographs, Which Is A Recognition Task. Joanna Pozzulo Argues That Although Children May Be Less Advanced In These Skills Than Adults, They Nonetheless Can Provide Invaluable Evidence. She Interprets The Research In Light Of Developmental Theories, And Notes Practical Implications For Forensic Investigations. Interviewing Techniques That Facilitate Accurate Recall Are Presented, As Are Lineup Techniques That Facilitate Accurate Recognition. This Book Is An Essential Resource For All Forensic Investigators-- Back Cover. Overview Of Forensic Concepts -- Ability Of Young Eyewitnesses To Describe A Person -- Techniques To Improve The Amount And Accuracy Of Recall Information -- Effects Of Lineup Construction And Procedures -- Other Factors Influencing The Young Eyewitness' Identification Accuracy -- Why Recall And Identification In Young Eyewitnesses Differs From That Of Adult Eyewitnesses -- Relation Between Describing The Perpetrator And Identifying The Perpetrator -- Jurors' Perceptions Of The Young Eyewitness -- Policy Implications -- Future Directions For Young Eyewitness Research. Joanna Pozzulo. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 173-195) And Index.