Eyewitness Identification Reform: Psychological Science and Public Policy

Eyewitnesses sometimes make mistakes that result in falsely convicting innocent people. As a result and as a matter of law, several states and local jurisdictions are implementing new procedures for conducting eyewitness identifications.

But Steven Clark, a professor of Psychology at the University of California, Riverside, whose research is directed at issues of human learning and memory, says these new procedures may be based in part on a false premise. He argues that proponents, who contend the new procedures reduce the risk of false identifications and have little or no negative effect on correct identifications, may themselves be making a mistake.

Clark comes to the National Science Foundation on Monday, April 18 at 10 a.m. EDT to present a distinguished lecture titled "Eyewitness Identification Reform: Psychological Science and Public Policy." The lecture is sponsored by NSF's Directorate for Social, Behavioral & Economic Sciences.

Clark will use the lecture to argue that seeing the new procedures as being without cost is inconsistent with decision theories, and, more importantly, with research data. Ultimately, he will argue that to make sound public policy, the justice system needs to apply better theories about how people remember and make decisions. At the same time, he will assert that new policy frameworks must be developed that better connect eyewitness research to public policy.

What:NSF SBE Distinguished Lecture

Who:Steven Clark, professor of Psychology at the University of California, Riverside

When:April 18, 10 a.m. EDT

Where:Room 555, Stafford II4121 Wilson BoulevardArlington, Va. 22230

Metro:Orange Line to Ballston

Note: Visitors must RSVP to Lisa-Joy Zgorski or Bobbie Mixon in the Office of Legislative and Public Affairs to register for a visitor pass for access to the Stafford II building. Contact Lisa-Joy or Bobbie by email or phone (703) 292-8311 or (703) 292-8485.

Provided by NSF