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Schweitzer K, Nuñez N. The effect of evidence order on jurors' verdicts: Primacy and recency effects with strongly and weakly probative evidence. APPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/acp.3884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly Schweitzer
- Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology University of Wyoming Laramie Wyoming USA
| | - Narina Nuñez
- Department of Psychology University of Wyoming Laramie Wyoming USA
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Rozmann N, Nahari G. Credibility assessments of alibi accounts: the role of cultural intergroup bias. PSYCHIATRY, PSYCHOLOGY, AND LAW : AN INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF THE AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION OF PSYCHIATRY, PSYCHOLOGY AND LAW 2021; 29:535-548. [PMID: 35903498 PMCID: PMC9318237 DOI: 10.1080/13218719.2021.1938274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Research has shown that judges and jurors are influenced by suspect ethnicity and that they might discriminate against out-group suspects in making decisions. This study examined the tendency to favor in-group members, as predicted by social identity theory, in assessing alibi credibility. Forty Israeli-Jewish and 40 Israeli-Arab participants assessed the credibility of an alibi statement provided by a suspect who was either Israeli-Jewish or Israeli-Arab. Findings show that participants were more likely to believe the alibi when it was provided by an in-group suspect than by an out-group suspect, supporting intergroup bias in alibi credibility assessments. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nir Rozmann
- Department of Criminology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Galit Nahari
- Department of Criminology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
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Allison M, Jung S, Benjamin AC. Alibi believability: Corroborative evidence and contextual factors. BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES & THE LAW 2020; 38:337-354. [PMID: 32639036 DOI: 10.1002/bsl.2473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2018] [Revised: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
A disbelief in alibis is one contributor to wrongful convictions. One reason that triers-of-fact may disbelieve alibis is that they lack evidence to corroborate the whereabouts of the suspect at the time of the crime. Contextual factors, such as when the alibi was disclosed and what was the nature of the crime, can also affect alibi believability. This paper outlines two studies where mock jurors evaluated an investigation and trial description online and rated alibi believability, defendant character trait ratings, and verdicts. Both studies examined the impact of corroborative alibi evidence and the timing of the alibi disclosure. In addition, Study 1 included the type of crime and Study 2 included the number of alibi corroborators as additional independent variables. We hypothesized that alibis would be viewed more positively when they were disclosed earlier rather than later, were corroborated by strong physical evidence and multiple corroborators, and involved less violent offenses. As hypothesized, in both studies, alibis with strong physical evidence were thought to be more believable than those with no physical evidence but the number of corroborators and type of crime did not affect any dependent measures. Delayed timing had some negative effects on views of the defendant's character. Corroborative physical evidence affected alibi believability consistently, and contextual factors mattered less. Both implications and suggestions for future research are further discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sandy Jung
- MacEwan University, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Applying the verifiability approach to deception detection in alibi witness situations. Acta Psychol (Amst) 2020; 204:103020. [PMID: 32014621 DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2020.103020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 01/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The application of alibi witness scenarios to deception detection has been overlooked. Experiment 1 was a study of the verifiability approach in which truth-telling pairs completed a mission together, whereas in lying pairs one individual completed this mission alone and the other individual committed a mock theft. All pairs were instructed to convince the interviewer that they completed the mission together by writing individual statements on their own followed by a collective statement together as a pair. In the individual statements, truth-telling pairs provided more checkable details that demonstrated they completed the mission together than lying pairs, whereas lying pairs provided more uncheckable details than truth-telling pairs. The collective statements made truth-telling pairs provide significantly more checkable details that demonstrated they were together in comparison to the individual statements, whereas no effect was obtained for lying pairs. Receiver Operating Characteristic curves revealed high accuracy rates for discriminating between truths and lies using the verifiability approach across all statement types. Experiment 2 was a lie detection study whereby observers' abilities to discriminate between truths and lies using the verifiability approach were examined. This revealed that applying the verifiability approach to collective statements improved observers' ability to accurately detect deceit. We suggest that the verifiability approach could be used as a lie detection technique and that law enforcement policies should consider implementing collective interviewing.
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O'Connell F, Cherryman J, Warmelink L. Mock juror's perceptions of a child witness passing or failing a truth and lies discussion or promising to tell the truth. APPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/acp.3612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Julie Cherryman
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Portsmouth Portsmouth UK
| | - Lara Warmelink
- Department of PsychologyLancaster University Lancaster UK
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Fawcett H, Winstanley K. Children as alibi witnesses: the effect of age and confidence on mock-juror decision making. PSYCHIATRY, PSYCHOLOGY, AND LAW : AN INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF THE AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION OF PSYCHIATRY, PSYCHOLOGY AND LAW 2018; 25:957-971. [PMID: 31984060 PMCID: PMC6818428 DOI: 10.1080/13218719.2018.1482573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the influence of child alibi witness age and confidence upon mock juror decision making. Participants (N = 145) read a mock murder trial transcript containing the evidence of a defendant and a corroborating child alibi witness. Six versions of the trial transcript were created manipulating the alibi witness's age (8, 12, 16 years of age) and the confidence they displayed (high, low) while giving evidence. Despite a tendency towards returning not-guilty verdicts, no associations between alibi witness age, confidence and verdicts were found. However, confident alibi witnesses were perceived as more honest, accurate and reliable than unconfident alibi witnesses. The findings do not support the two-factor model of witness credibility, but do suggest that the alibi scepticism commonly found towards adult alibi witnesses may not extend as strongly towards children corroborating the defendant's alibi. More research is required before policy recommendations can be made.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Fawcett
- Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan
University, Manchester, UK
| | - Kate Winstanley
- Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan
University, Manchester, UK
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Price HL, Dahl LC. Investigator Sensitivity to Alibi Witness Inconsistency after a Long Delay. BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES & THE LAW 2017; 35:60-74. [PMID: 28233336 DOI: 10.1002/bsl.2276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Revised: 01/11/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
In two studies, mock investigators conducted a computer-based investigation of a crime involving an alibi witness who varied in the consistency of his statements taken 5 years apart. Investigators showed evidence of skepticism of alibi witness statements in which major contradictions (activity, location) were present, and some skepticism of statements in which minor (activity) details were contradictory. Entirely consistent statements were judged favorably, and reduced perceptions of suspect guilt (Study 2). The age of the alibi witness did not impact judgments of suspect guilt when children (6 years) and adults (25 years) were compared (Study 1, N = 254), or when children of different ages were compared (6, 8, 11 years; Study 2, N = 234). The present data suggest that investigators were relatively more sensitive to considerations of accuracy than honesty. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather L Price
- Psychology, Okanagan College, 1000 KLO Rd, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1Y 4X8, Canada
| | - Leora C Dahl
- Psychology, Okanagan College, 1000 KLO Rd, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1Y 4X8, Canada
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Marion SB, Burke TM. Altruistic Lying in an Alibi Corroboration Context: The Effects of Liking, Compliance, and Relationship between Suspects and Witnesses. BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES & THE LAW 2017; 35:37-59. [PMID: 28008653 DOI: 10.1002/bsl.2269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Revised: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Police investigators, judges, and jurors are often very skeptical of alibi witness testimony. To investigate when and why individuals lie for one another, we conducted two studies in which witnesses' support of a false alibi was observed. We varied the level of social pressure exerted on witnesses and the level of affinity between suspect-witness pairs. During a study session purportedly intended to investigate dyadic problem-solving ability, a mock theft was staged. When questioned, participants were provided the opportunity to either corroborate or refute a confederate's false alibi that the latter was with them when the theft occurred. Participants were more likely to lie for the confederate when the latter explicitly asked participants to conceal his/her whereabouts during the time of the theft (Study 1). How much participants liked the suspect did not impact lying; however, participants lied for a confederate more often when the latter was a friend rather than a stranger (Study 2). Results show that alibi witnesses often lie and that investigators and jurors may not accurately estimate the likelihood that such witnesses will lie for one another. Witnesses who lied also reported doing so more often because they believed that the suspect was innocent rather than guilty. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie B Marion
- Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, University of Ontario Institute of Technology
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Vernham Z, Granhag PA, Giolla EM. Detecting Deception within Small Groups: A Literature Review. Front Psychol 2016; 7:1012. [PMID: 27445957 PMCID: PMC4927566 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigators often have multiple suspects to interview in order to determine whether they are guilty or innocent of a crime. Nevertheless, co-offending has been significantly neglected within the deception detection literature. The current review is the first of its kind to discuss co-offending and the importance of examining the detection of deception within groups. Groups of suspects can be interviewed separately (individual interviewing) or simultaneously (collective interviewing) and these differing interviewing styles are assessed throughout the review. The review emphasizes the differences between lone individuals and groups. It focuses on the theoretical implications of group deceit and the reasons why groups need to be understood in terms of investigative interviewing and deception detection if all types of crime-related incidents are to be recognized and dealt with appropriately. Group strategies, consistency within- and between-statements, joint memory, and group dynamics are referred to throughout the review and the importance of developing interview protocols specifically for groups is discussed. The review concludes by identifying the gaps in the literature and suggesting ideas for future research, highlighting that more research is required if we are to obtain a true understanding of the deception occurring within groups and how best to detect it.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pär-Anders Granhag
- Psychology, University of GothenburgGothenburg, Sweden; Norwegian Police University CollegeOslo, Norway; Psychology, University of OsloOslo, Norway
| | - Erik M Giolla
- Psychology, University of Gothenburg Gothenburg, Sweden
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Eastwood J, Snook B, Au D. Safety in Numbers: A Policy-Capturing Study of the Alibi Assessment Process. APPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/acp.3200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Eastwood
- Faculty of Social Science and Humanities; University of Ontario Institute of Technology; Oshawa ON Canada
| | - Brent Snook
- Department of Psychology; Memorial University of Newfoundland; St. John's NL Canada
| | - David Au
- Faculty of Science; University of Ontario Institute of Technology; Oshawa ON Canada
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Nahari G, Vrij A. Can I borrow your alibi? The applicability of the verifiability approach to the case of an alibi witness. JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN MEMORY AND COGNITION 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jarmac.2014.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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