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Horry, Ruth; Palmer, Matthew A.; Brewer, Neil; Cutler, Brian L. --- "Comparative Legal Psychology: Eyewitness Identification" [2012] ELECD 764; in Clark, S. David (ed), "Comparative Law and Society" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2012)

Book Title: Comparative Law and Society

Editor(s): Clark, S. David

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781849803618

Section: Chapter 7

Section Title: Comparative Legal Psychology: Eyewitness Identification

Author(s): Horry, Ruth; Palmer, Matthew A.; Brewer, Neil; Cutler, Brian L.

Number of pages: 22

Extract:

7 Comparative legal psychology: eyewitness
identification
Ruth Horry, Matthew A. Palmer, Neil Brewer and
Brian L. Cutler*


1 INTRODUCTION

We focus in this chapter on one important area of legal psychology: eyewitness
identification. Following a brief overview of the broader field of legal psychology and
the history of eyewitness identification research, we outline the major contributions
that psychological science has made to our understanding of eyewitness identifica-
tion, and review the procedures used to collect and interpret identification evidence
in the United States and England and Wales. We conclude with some thoughts about
how one might improve the treatment of identification evidence in legal settings in the
future.

1.1 Overview of Legal Psychology

Legal psychology has shaped thinking and practice in many areas of the criminal justice
system, with psychologists (including researchers, and clinical and forensic practitioners)
and legal professionals (including lawyers, judges and police officers) contributing actively
to this field. Rather than attempt a detailed review of legal psychology in this short
chapter, we introduce--as a starting point for readers interested in a broader treatment--
a few brief examples of research issues that have attracted programmatic attention from
researchers.
Legal psychology research has had much to say about the interpretation of evidence
presented in the courtroom. Numerous studies have examined the way that jurors make
decisions, both individually and collectively. For example, research suggests that juror-
eligible individuals are better able to process and recall relevant information--and, hence,
make better judgments--if they receive judicial instructions ...


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