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To: OldDeckHand
“Which reinforces the theory that eyewitness testimony is about as unreliable as it comes.”

Not necessarily.

When it comes to RACE, then there are often problems identifying someone of a DIFFERENT race. When it is the SAME RACE, then there is less of a problem. Let's not throw the baby out with the bath water!

4 posted on 09/04/2009 1:30:45 PM PDT by nmh (Intelligent people recognize Intelligent Design (God).)
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To: nmh
When it comes to RACE, then there are often problems identifying someone of a DIFFERENT race. When it is the SAME RACE, then there is less of a problem.

Not true. Also, police have been known to "suggest" a perp to the victim. There was a case I remember from tv not too long ago where it seems that the guy convicted of rape had managed to avoid some drug charges, and the cops were just finding a way to put him in jail.

17 posted on 09/04/2009 1:42:47 PM PDT by jdub (A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.)
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To: nmh
"When it comes to RACE, then there are often problems identifying someone of a DIFFERENT race. When it is the SAME RACE, then there is less of a problem. Let's not throw the baby out with the bath water! "

That's an interesting thesis. Do you have citations for it?

I have a little professional experience in this field, and was personally involved in a study that examined eye witness reliability involving highly stressful situations. That study, and no other studies in which I'm familiar, draw such conclusions. Moreover, every piece of reasonably reliable research I've seen on the subject, casts tremendous doubt on the reliability or purity of eye witness testimony.

But, I'm not completely discounting the possibility of some racially-biased benefit with respect to eye witness identification. I'd be happy and interested to read such research if you can supply the citations.

39 posted on 09/04/2009 2:06:09 PM PDT by OldDeckHand (No Socialized Medicine, No Way, No How, No Time)
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