Long-term Consequences of Providing a Perpetrator’s Description on a Subsequent Lineup Performance
Purpose:
Descriptions of perpetrators are routinely provided by witnesses during criminal interrogations. Psychological research suggests that recalling a suspect’s appearance negatively influences the ability to subsequently recognize the described face – a phenomenon referred to as verbal overshadowing effect (VOE). VOE has been confirmed in previous research, but its duration remains unclear.
Design/Methods/Approach:
Participants watched a film depicting a robbery and then, depending on the group: 1) did not describe a perpetrator’s appearance or 2) provided a description. Two weeks time interval between providing perpetrator’s description and recognition attempt from among 6 photographs, was introduced. In half of the lineups each group were perpetrator-present, half – perpetrator-absent.
Findings:
In forensically relevant conditions, verbal overshadowing seems no longer a threat to lineup performance, at least when manifested by an increase in misidentifications rates. Nevertheless, some research suggests that providing description after two weeks results in enhanced reluctance to identify anyone in the lineup.
Research Implications:
As facial composite construction involves recalling perpetrator’s appearance, future research should concentrate on its influence on a subsequent lineup performance.
Practical Implications:
Findings suggesting that verbalizing perpetrator’s face lead to an assumption that his absence in the lineup may have a positive aspect, i.e. protecting innocent persons from being identified as suspects.
Originality/Value:
This research demonstrates that only the knowledge of long-term effects of verbalization, allows the assessment of the risk that VOE carries for investigative practice.
UDC: 159.9:340.6
Keywords: perpetrators, eyewitness, identification, description, verbal overshadowing effect