Question

Katrina is a witness in a court case. Which of the following scenarios is LEAST likely to cause her to accidentally identify the wrong perpetrator?

A) Exposure to a biased lineup presentation
B) Misleading post-event information
C) High levels of stress during the event
D) Short retention interval between the event and identification

Answer 1

A short retention interval between the event and identification is least likely to cause Katrina to misidentify the perpetrator, as it minimizes the chances of memory deterioration and external influence on the witness's recollection.

Step-by-step explanation:

The scenario LEAST likely to cause Katrina to accidentally identify the wrong perpetrator is D) Short retention interval between the event and identification. A short retention interval minimizes the time during which memories may deteriorate or be subject to contamination by external influences, such as misleading post-event information or biased lineup presentation. Studies like those by Loftus in the 1970s have highlighted the fragility of eyewitness memory and how suggestibility can lead to false identifications. The Innocence Project has also provided evidence that eyewitness misidentification is a leading cause of wrongful convictions, further emphasizing the importance of caution when it comes to eyewitness testimony in court cases.