Abstract
The descriptive and identification abilities of adolescents and adults were examined. Three identification procedures were
used; simultaneous, sequential, and elimination. Adolescents (M = 16.49 years; N = 192) and adults (M = 20.16 years; N = 177) viewed a videotape of a staged theft. Participants were asked to describe the perpetrator, and following a brief delay
were shown either a target-present or -absent lineup using one of the identification procedures. Adolescents and adults reported
on average 7.63 descriptors. Clothing descriptors were most commonly reported with approximately half the descriptors relating
to clothing. Correct identification rates were not associated with number of descriptors but were found to differ as a function
of identification procedure with witnesses being more accurate when presented with a simultaneous lineup compared to an elimination
lineup. Correct rejection rates significantly differed as a function of identification procedure with witnesses being more
likely to correctly reject the lineup when presented with an elimination lineup compared to a simultaneous or sequential lineup.
Witness age was not found to influence accuracy. The advantages and disadvantages of using each identification procedure are
discussed.
used; simultaneous, sequential, and elimination. Adolescents (M = 16.49 years; N = 192) and adults (M = 20.16 years; N = 177) viewed a videotape of a staged theft. Participants were asked to describe the perpetrator, and following a brief delay
were shown either a target-present or -absent lineup using one of the identification procedures. Adolescents and adults reported
on average 7.63 descriptors. Clothing descriptors were most commonly reported with approximately half the descriptors relating
to clothing. Correct identification rates were not associated with number of descriptors but were found to differ as a function
of identification procedure with witnesses being more accurate when presented with a simultaneous lineup compared to an elimination
lineup. Correct rejection rates significantly differed as a function of identification procedure with witnesses being more
likely to correctly reject the lineup when presented with an elimination lineup compared to a simultaneous or sequential lineup.
Witness age was not found to influence accuracy. The advantages and disadvantages of using each identification procedure are
discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-12
- DOI 10.1007/s11896-012-9107-5
- Authors
- Joanna D. Pozzulo, Department of Psychology, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada
- Julie Dempsey, Department of Psychology, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada
- Jennifer Pettalia, Department of Psychology, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada
- Journal Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology
- Online ISSN 1936-6469
- Print ISSN 0882-0783