Question

More info please

Given that we know that eyewitness testimony is not completely accurate, why do you believe they are still used to account for crimes in court or by law enforcement?

Answer 1

Yes, we know that eyewitness testimony is not completely accurate. New Jersey Supreme Court has also acknowledged a troubling lack of reliability in eyewitness identifications, so the court has made new rules for such eyewitness evidence related criminal cases, which say, "Defendants can challenge such evidences". Now court will not consider the eyewitness testimony as a fully reliable evidence, instead court will rely more on scientifically accurate proofs.

However, I believe that eyewitness testimonials are still being used to account for crimes in court because of the following reasons.

1. Not all the eyewitness testimonials are wrong, fake or misinterpreted. In more than 2/3 cases these are reliable.

2. In many cases, crime can obviously be seen with eyes that can be trusted. For example if someone stabs someone publicly than eyewitnesses can tell what they saw.

3. In many cases we do not have enough and clear evidences than in those cases when an eyewitness can give some important information regarding the crime or miss happening so that the case can further be processed for quick and correct justice.

4. In many situations we cannot completely rely on scientifically proven evidences like DNA test or something else. Because at the time of crime we might not be able the collect enough proofs except an eye witness (if present).

5. It will take time to change the traditional justice system and to implement these new rules by not making eyewitness testimony the only deciding factor.