Question

which of the following statements about eyewitness testimony is correct?

eyewitness testimony is reliable for events that do not involve crime.
eyewitness testimony is always reliable.
eyewitness testimony is never reliable.
eyewitness testimony is vulnerable to the power of suggestion.

Explanation:

Analyze eyewitness testimony reliability

Using the Eyewitness Testimony knowledge point, memory is reconstructive rather than a perfect recording. This means it is not always reliable, nor is it completely useless (never reliable).

Evaluate the impact of suggestion

Using the Misinformation Effect knowledge point, exposure to misleading information or suggestive questioning after an event can easily alter a person's memory of that event, making the testimony highly vulnerable to suggestion.

Answer:

• (A) Eyewitness testimony is reliable for events that do not involve crime.
• (B) Eyewitness testimony is always reliable.
• (C) Eyewitness testimony is never reliable.
• (D) Eyewitness testimony is vulnerable to the power of suggestion. (Correct answer)