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The Effectiveness of Eyewitness Reports in a Crime Scenario

CSEF · 2016 Cognitive Science (Junior Division Only)

Ethan R. McMullen · Accelerated Achievement Academy, Hollister, San Benito County

Overview

Objectives/Goals The objective of this study is to determine if witnesses to a crime can accurately describe what they saw while their attention has been diverted elsewhere. Methods/Materials A recording device, 9 actors, Laptop computer with iMovie software, YouTube website, SurveyMonkey website. I recorded two videos of a crime scene, one distracted viewers attention away from the crime, the other had no distraction. I posted both videos on YouTube, then had fifty individuals watch each video and take a survey to determine accuracy of their recollections. Results Viewers answered questions incorrectly after watching the distracting video 55% of the time. The number of incorrect answers by viewers was reduced to 50% when the sound in the video was illuminated. Conclusions of this project indicate that if distractions are reduced recall improves slightly. Conclusions/Discussion Based on the results of this experiment, a distracted witness is not as reliable as a less distracted witness. However, a less distracted witness recalls information only 5% more accurately.

Summary statement

I found that people could not accurately recall a crime scene occuring within their field of vision when their attention was focused on something else in the same field of vision.

Help received

The only assistance I received was from friends and family who participated in helping me film and participate in the videos and in taking the online survey.

Competition history

  • CSEF 2016 Cognitive Science (Junior Division Only) · Entry J0718

Resources

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Source: California Science & Engineering Fair public projects

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