Analysing Witness Testimony: Psychological, Investigative and Evidential Perspectives A Guide for Legal Practitioners and Other Professionals

by Heaton-Armstrong, Anthony; Shepherd, Eric; Wolchover, David

• ISBN13: 9781854317315
• ISBN10: 1854317318
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-11-07
• Publisher: Blackstone Press

Summary

The consideration of witness testimony had traditionally been a task left to fact-finders with scant guidance from legal professionals. As a result, various practices have developed during the investigative and trial process which can obscure or even eradicate critical material. Miscarriages of justice will continue to occur, so long as those working within the justice system continue to accept witnesses and their testimony at face value. This book aims to make practitioners, as well as the fact-finders and those who guide them, aware of a wide range of perspectives on witness testimony. Each contributor identifies bad practice and puts forward ideas for improvement or removal of previously acceptable investigative and forensic methods.

Author Biography

Anthony Heaton-Armstrong and David Wolchover are both practising barristers with over 20 years experience of advocacy in the criminal courts. They are joint authors of Confession Evidence. Eric Shepherd is a practising forensic psychologist with 30 years experience. He is the author of the core texts in the Law Society's Police Station Skills for Legal Advisors and Active Defence.

Table of Contents

Human Memory in the Real World

Contamination of Witness Memory

The Influence of Drugs on Testimony

The Frailty of Children's Testimony

Testimony from Persons with Mental Disorders

Witness Testimony in Sleep and Dream-related Contexts

Physical Illness and their Potential Influence

Complaints of Sexual Misconduct

Full and Faithful: Ensuring Quality Practice and Integrity of Outcome in Witness Interviews

Obtaining Detailed Testimony: The Cognitive Interview

Hypnotically Induced Testimony

Identification Parades: Psychological and Practical Realities

Earwitness Testimony

Getting Heads Together: Police Collaborative Testimony

Recording Witness Statements

The Influence of Witness Appearance and Demeanour on Witness Credibility

Identifying Anomaly in Evidential Text

Admissibility of Expert Psychological and Psychiatric Testimony

Problematic Testimony

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