Verdad y Derecho

Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales

Vol. 3(2), 60-74, 2024

https://doi.org/10.62574/13q98036

Psychology of testimony in the judicial process: Analysis of the

reliability of eye-witness testimony

Psicología del testimonio en el proceso judicial: Análisis de la fiabilidad

del testimonio ocular

Jairo Ramón Villasmil-Ferrer

jaravife@gmail.com

Universidad Nacional Experimental Francisco de Miranda, Santa Ana de

Coro, Falcón, Venezuela

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5535-3132

ABSTRACT

The research aims to analyse the psychology of testimony in the judicial process

from the point of view of the reliability of eyewitness testimony. Legal

documentary analysis has been used, including a review of 14 published scientific

articles. The analysis of the psychology of testimony in the judicial process,

focusing on the reliability of eyewitness testimony, reveals the complexity and

multitude of factors that can influence the accuracy of witnesses' recollections.

Cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias and the effect of subsequent

information, can significantly distort witness memory, underscoring the need for

judicial operators to recognise and mitigate these biases. Observational

conditions, such as lighting, duration of the event and stress, must be carefully

considered to fairly assess the reliability of testimony.

Descriptors: social psychology; legal procedure; legal decisions (Source:

UNESCO Thesaurus).

RESUMEN

La investigación tiene como analizar la psicología del testimonio en el proceso

judicial desde la fiabilidad del testimonio ocular. Se ha empleado el análisis

documental jurídico que incluye una revisión de 14 articulos científicos

publicados. El análisis de la psicología del testimonio en el proceso judicial,

centrado en la fiabilidad del testimonio ocular, revela la complejidad y la multitud

de factores que pueden influir en la precisión de los recuerdos de los testigos.

Los sesgos cognitivos, como el sesgo de confirmación y el efecto de la

información posterior, pueden distorsionar significativamente la memoria del

testigo, subrayando la necesidad de que los operadores judiciales reconozcan y

mitiguen estos sesgos. Las condiciones de observación, como la iluminación, la

duración del evento y el estrés, deben ser cuidadosamente consideradas para

evaluar de manera justa la fiabilidad de los testimonios.

Descriptores: psicología social; procedimiento legal; sentencia judicial. (Fuente:

Tesauro UNESCO).

Received: 07/02/2024. Revised: 12/02/2024. Approved: 19/03/2024. Published: 01/05/2024.

Verdad y Derecho

Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales

Vol. 3(2), 60-74, 2024

https://doi.org/10.62574/13q98036

Research articles section

Verdad y Derecho

Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales

Vol. 3(2), 60-74, 2024

Psicología del testimonio en el proceso judicial: Análisis de la fiabilidad del testimonio ocular

Psychology of testimony in the judicial process: Analysis of the reliability of eye-witness testimony

Jairo Ramón Villasmil-Ferrer

INTRODUCTION

The psychology of testimony has become a crucial field within the judicial process

because of the importance of the reliability of eyewitness testimony. The accuracy

and veracity of testimony can significantly influence judicial decisions, affecting

the lives of those involved. Over the past decades, several studies have explored

the factors that influence the accuracy of eyewitness testimony, such as cognitive

biases, the conditions under which events are observed, and the interrogation

techniques used by authorities (Castrellon et al., 2023; Cecconello & Stein,

2020).

Eyewitness testimony has been a key element in many trials, but it has also been

a source of miscarriages of justice. Human memory is not infallible; it is subject

to various influences that can distort memories. Factors such as stress, anxiety

and the length of the event can affect a witness's ability to recall details accurately.

Lighting conditions, distance and exposure time also play a crucial role in the

quality of recall. These variables underscore the need to address the reliability of

eyewitness testimony with a rigorous scientific approach (Denne et al. 2021;

Gonzalez-Coulon, 2023).

Cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias and the after-information effect, can

negatively influence the accuracy of testimony. Confirmation bias occurs when

individuals tend to seek, interpret and recall information that confirms their pre-

existing beliefs, while the aftereffect refers to the influence of new information

received after the event on the witness's memory. These biases can lead to

significant errors in testimony, affecting the judgement of juries and judges and,

ultimately, the outcome of trials (Luna-Salas, 2021; Julià-Pijoan, 2023).

Interrogation techniques are also a determining factor in the accuracy of

eyewitness testimony. Interrogation methods that induce stress or suggest

answers may increase the likelihood of errors. On the other hand, evidence-

based techniques, such as the cognitive approach, have proven to be more

Verdad y Derecho

Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales

Vol. 3(2), 60-74, 2024

Psicología del testimonio en el proceso judicial: Análisis de la fiabilidad del testimonio ocular

Psychology of testimony in the judicial process: Analysis of the reliability of eye-witness testimony

Jairo Ramón Villasmil-Ferrer

effective in obtaining accurate testimony. These techniques seek to minimise the

influence of external factors and reduce suggestibility, allowing witnesses to

provide more accurate recollections of what was observed (Sporer & Antonelli,

2022; Schellong et al., 2024).

In the judicial context, it is imperative that the limitations of eyewitness testimony

are recognised and measures are put in place to assess its reliability. Training

judges and jurors in the principles of the psychology of testimony can significantly

improve the evaluation of testimony. Furthermore, the inclusion of experts in the

psychology of testimony can provide a critical and evidence-based perspective

on the reliability of eyewitness testimony, ensuring that it is used fairly and

accurately in the judicial process (Sánchez-Gómez, 2018; Albright et al., 2023).

Based on the above, the aim is to analyse the psychology of testimony in the

judicial process from the point of view of the reliability of eye-witness testimony.

METHOD

The research was carried out on the basis of analysing the psychology of

testimony in the judicial process, focusing on the reliability of eyewitness

testimony. In order to achieve this objective, legal documentary analysis was

used, which included a review of 14 scientific articles published in the last ten

years, taking into account this time parameter due to the limited number of

publications found that directly addressed the subject.

Investigation procedure

The first stage of the analysis consisted of identifying and selecting relevant

sources. A systematic search was conducted in academic and legal databases,

including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, using key terms such as

"psychology of testimony", "reliability of eyewitness testimony", "cognitive biases

in testimony", and "cross-examination techniques". Fourteen articles published in

the last ten years were selected to ensure the timeliness of the data and findings.

Verdad y Derecho

Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales

Vol. 3(2), 60-74, 2024

Psicología del testimonio en el proceso judicial: Análisis de la fiabilidad del testimonio ocular

Psychology of testimony in the judicial process: Analysis of the reliability of eye-witness testimony

Jairo Ramón Villasmil-Ferrer

To ensure the relevance and quality of the documents analysed, the following

inclusion criteria were established:

a) Peer-reviewed articles addressing the reliability of eyewitness testimony

from a psychological or legal perspective.

b) Empirical studies investigating factors influencing the accuracy of

eyewitness accounts.

c) Opinion articles, non-peer-reviewed reports and papers that do not directly

address the reliability of eyewitness testimony were excluded.

Once the documents had been selected, a documentary analysis of their content

was carried out. This analysis was carried out in several stages:

1. Comprehensive reading: A first reading was carried out to obtain an

overview of the content of each document, identifying the main themes

and relevant findings.

2. Thematic coding: Thematic coding was applied to organise the information

into categories, such as cognitive biases, observation conditions,

interrogation techniques and judicial recommendations.

3. Comparative analysis: Findings from different studies were compared to

identify common trends, divergences and areas of consensus. This

comparative analysis allowed for a synthesis of factors affecting the

reliability of eyewitness testimony.

4. Integration of results: The results were integrated into a coherent narrative

that highlights the main findings and their relevance to the judicial process.

Particular attention was paid to how these findings can inform judicial

practices and improve the assessment of the reliability of eyewitness

testimony.

ANALYSIS OF THE RESULTS

The results are described:

Verdad y Derecho

Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales

Vol. 3(2), 60-74, 2024

Psicología del testimonio en el proceso judicial: Análisis de la fiabilidad del testimonio ocular

Psychology of testimony in the judicial process: Analysis of the reliability of eye-witness testimony

Jairo Ramón Villasmil-Ferrer

Table 1. Thematic coding.

CATEGORY AND SUBCATEGORY

DESCRIPTION

Cognitive Bias: Confirmation Bias

Tendency to seek, interpret and recall

information that confirms pre-existing beliefs,

affecting the witness's memory.

Cognitive biases: Effect of subsequent

information

Influence of new information received after the

event on the witness's memory, distorting the

original memories.

Cognitive Biases: Reconstructive Memory

Memory is reconstructed each time it is

recalled, incorporating fictitious or altered

details due to emotional and contextual

influences.

Observing conditions: Lighting and visibility

Lighting conditions that affect the witness's

ability to observe and remember details

accurately.

Observation conditions: Event duration and

distance

Time of observation and distance from the

event, influencing the accuracy of the

testimony.

Observation conditions: Stress and anxiety

Emotional arousal that interferes with the

encoding and storage of memories, resulting

in less accurate testimony.

Interrogation techniques: suggestive

questioning

Methods that induce errors by influencing the

witness's memory through leading questions.

Interrogation techniques: Evidence-based

methods

Cognitive approach and techniques that

minimise suggestion and allow for more

accurate retrieval of memories.

Judicial recommendations: Training of judges

and juries

Training in principles of the psychology of

testimony to critically evaluate testimonial

evidence and make more informed decisions.

Judicial recommendations: Inclusion of

experts on the psychology of testimony

Participation of experts to assess the reliability

of eyewitness testimony, explaining the effects

of cognitive biases, observation conditions

and questioning techniques to judges and

jurors.

Source: Own elaboration.

Based on Table 1, the thematic coding focused on organising the information in

the reviewed documents into key categories that cover the main factors

influencing the reliability of eyewitness testimony. These categories include

Verdad y Derecho

Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales

Vol. 3(2), 60-74, 2024

Psicología del testimonio en el proceso judicial: Análisis de la fiabilidad del testimonio ocular

Psychology of testimony in the judicial process: Analysis of the reliability of eye-witness testimony

Jairo Ramón Villasmil-Ferrer

cognitive biases, observation conditions, interrogation techniques and judicial

recommendations. Each category was broken down into specific sub-themes to

provide a detailed and comprehensive analysis.

Cognitive biases

Confirmation bias

Confirmation bias refers to the tendency of individuals to seek, interpret and recall

information that confirms their pre-existing beliefs. This bias can significantly

influence a witness's memory, leading them to recall details that match their prior

expectations rather than what actually happened (Rouder et al. 2018). In the

judicial context, this bias can lead to misidentifications and incorrect judicial

decisions. Studies by (Castrellon et al. 2023) and (Cecconello & Stein, 2020)

highlight how jurors and judges may be predisposed to accept testimony that

aligns with their own beliefs and biases, thus affecting the fairness of the judicial

process.

Effect of subsequent information

The after-information effect refers to the influence that new information received

after an event can have on the witness's memory. This phenomenon can distort

original memories, causing witnesses to integrate incorrect details into their

testimony. In this parameter (González-Coulon, 2023) and (Julià-Pijoan, 2023)

show how exposure to erroneous or suggestive information after the event can

significantly alter the accuracy of eyewitness testimony, a problem that is

particularly relevant in cases where witnesses are repeatedly questioned.

Reconstructive memory

Human memory is inherently reconstructive, meaning that memories are not

stored as exact recordings, but are reconstructed each time they are recalled.

This reconstruction process is susceptible to various influences, including

emotions, context and social interactions (Luna-Salas, 2021). Reconstructive

Verdad y Derecho

Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales

Vol. 3(2), 60-74, 2024

Psicología del testimonio en el proceso judicial: Análisis de la fiabilidad del testimonio ocular

Psychology of testimony in the judicial process: Analysis of the reliability of eye-witness testimony

Jairo Ramón Villasmil-Ferrer

memory can result in the incorporation of fictitious or altered details into

eyewitness accounts, underscoring the need for questioning techniques that

minimise suggestion and stress.

Observation conditions

Lighting and visibility

Lighting and visibility conditions are critical factors affecting the accuracy of

eyewitness testimony. Studies have shown that poor lighting can hinder a

witness's ability to observe and recall details accurately. On this parameter,

(Denne, Stolzenberg & Neal, 2021) found that testimony obtained in low lighting

conditions is more prone to error, which has significant implications for assessing

the reliability of testimony in judicial contexts.

Event duration and distance

The duration of the event and the distance from which it is observed also

influence the accuracy of the testimony. Events observed over a short period of

time or from a great distance are more difficult to recall accurately. In this regard,

(González-Coulon, 2023) and (Julià-Pijoan, 2023) stress that limited exposure

and distance can reduce the witness's ability to correctly identify a suspect,

increasing the risk of miscarriages of justice.

Stress and anxiety

Stress and anxiety experienced during the event may negatively affect the

witness's memory. High emotional arousal can interfere with the encoding and

storage of memories, resulting in less accurate testimony (Luna-Salas, 2021).

Research by (Sporer & Antonelli, 2022) and (Schellong et al. 2024) indicates that

stress can exacerbate the effects of other negative factors, such as poor lighting

and the short duration of the event, making testimonies even less reliable.

Verdad y Derecho

Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales

Vol. 3(2), 60-74, 2024

Psicología del testimonio en el proceso judicial: Análisis de la fiabilidad del testimonio ocular

Psychology of testimony in the judicial process: Analysis of the reliability of eye-witness testimony

Jairo Ramón Villasmil-Ferrer

Interrogation techniques

Suggestive interrogations

Suggestive questioning can induce errors in testimony by influencing the

witness's memory. Techniques that suggest specific answers or pressure the

witness to remember certain details can lead to the creation of false memories

(Sporer & Antonelli, 2022) and (Schellong et al. 2024) highlight how interrogations

using leading questions can increase the likelihood of errors in eyewitness

testimony.

Evidence-based methods

On the other hand, evidence-based interrogation methods, such as the cognitive

approach, have proven to be more effective in eliciting accurate testimony. These

techniques focus on minimising suggestion and allowing the witness to recall

events in a more natural and less influenced way (Cecconello & Stein, 2020) and

(Mnookin, 2023) argue that evidence-based methods can significantly improve

the reliability of eyewitness testimony, providing a valuable tool for the judicial

system.

Judicial recommendations

Training of judges and juries

It is essential that judges and jurors receive adequate training on factors that may

affect the reliability of eyewitness testimony. Training in principles of the

psychology of testimony can help judicial operators to critically evaluate

testimonial evidence and make more informed decisions (Sánchez-Gómez,

2018). Research by (Albright et al. 2023) supports the need for training

programmes that specifically address cognitive biases and observational

conditions.

Inclusion of experts in the psychology of witnessing

The inclusion of experts in the psychology of testimony in court proceedings can

provide a critical, evidence-based assessment of the reliability of eyewitness

Verdad y Derecho

Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales

Vol. 3(2), 60-74, 2024

Psicología del testimonio en el proceso judicial: Análisis de la fiabilidad del testimonio ocular

Psychology of testimony in the judicial process: Analysis of the reliability of eye-witness testimony

Jairo Ramón Villasmil-Ferrer

testimony. These experts can explain to judges and juries how cognitive biases,

observation conditions and questioning techniques can influence witness

memory, thereby improving the quality of justice (Pearson et al., 2018; Albright et

al., 2023).

Comparative analysis

The comparative analysis focuses on identifying common trends, divergences

and areas of consensus in the reviewed studies on the reliability of eyewitness

testimony. Four main categories are considered: cognitive biases, observation

conditions, interrogation techniques and judicial recommendations:

Confirmation bias is a well-documented phenomenon in the psychology of

testimony literature. Castrellon et al. demonstrate that social cognitive processes

can explain biases in jurors' decisions, where individuals tend to seek, interpret

and recall information that confirms their pre-existing beliefs (Castrellon et al.,

2023). Cecconello and Stein emphasise that jurors may be influenced by their

prior expectations, which affects the accuracy of eyewitness testimony

(Cecconello & Stein, 2020).

The after-information effect refers to the influence of new information received

after an event on the witness's memory. González-Coulon and Julià-Pijoan show

how exposure to erroneous or suggestive information can distort original

memories, leading to inaccurate testimony (González-Coulon, 2023; Julià-Pijoan,

2023). Rouder, Wixted and Christenfeld find that the likelihood of an erroneous

conviction can increase when the witness's memory is influenced by post-event

information (Rouder et al. 2018).

The reconstructive nature of human memory implies that memories are not stored

as exact recordings, but are reconstructed each time they are recalled. Luna-

Salas highlights how emotions, context and social interactions can influence the

reconstruction of memories, resulting in fictitious or altered details (Luna-Salas,

2021). This underlines the importance of

Verdad y Derecho

Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales

Vol. 3(2), 60-74, 2024

Psicología del testimonio en el proceso judicial: Análisis de la fiabilidad del testimonio ocular

Psychology of testimony in the judicial process: Analysis of the reliability of eye-witness testimony

Jairo Ramón Villasmil-Ferrer

Lighting and visibility conditions are critical factors affecting the accuracy of

eyewitness testimony. Denne, Stolzenberg and Neal found that testimony

obtained in low lighting conditions is more prone to error (Denne, Stolzenberg &

Neal, 2021). Gonzalez-Coulon supports this conclusion, noting that poor lighting

can significantly reduce a witness's ability to observe and recall details accurately

(Gonzalez-Coulon, 2023).

The duration of the event and the distance from which it is observed also

influence the accuracy of the testimony. Julià-Pijoan shows that limited exposure

and observation from a great distance can reduce the witness's ability to correctly

identify a suspect (Julià-Pijoan, 2023). These findings are consistent with the

observations of González-Coulon, who stresses the importance of these

variables in assessing the reliability of eyewitness testimony (González-Coulon,

2023).

Stress and anxiety experienced during the event can negatively affect the

witness's memory. Sporer and Antonelli found that elevated stress can interfere

with the encoding and storage of memories, resulting in less accurate testimony

(Sporer & Antonelli, 2022). Schellong et al. note that stress can exacerbate the

effects of other negative factors, making testimonies even less reliable (Schellong

et al., 2024).

Leading questions can induce errors in testimony by influencing the witness's

memory. Sporer and Antonelli highlight how leading questions can increase the

likelihood of errors in eyewitness testimony (Sporer & Antonelli, 2022). Schellong

et al. show that suggestive methods can lead to the creation of false memories

(Schellong et al., 2024).

On the other hand, evidence-based interrogation methods, such as the cognitive

approach, have proven to be more effective in eliciting accurate testimony.

Cecconello and Stein argue that these methods minimise suggestion and allow

for more accurate retrieval of memories (Cecconello & Stein, 2020). Mnookin

supports this conclusion, noting that evidence-based techniques can significantly

improve the reliability of eyewitness testimony (Mnookin, 2023). Denne,

Verdad y Derecho

Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales

Vol. 3(2), 60-74, 2024

Psicología del testimonio en el proceso judicial: Análisis de la fiabilidad del testimonio ocular

Psychology of testimony in the judicial process: Analysis of the reliability of eye-witness testimony

Jairo Ramón Villasmil-Ferrer

Stolzenberg and Neal also find that these techniques can reduce errors in

testimony (Denne, Stolzenberg & Neal, 2021).

It is essential that judges and jurors receive adequate training on the factors that

can affect the reliability of eyewitness testimony. Sánchez-Gómez suggests that

training in principles of the psychology of testimony can help judicial operators to

critically evaluate testimonial evidence and make more informed decisions

(Sánchez-Gómez, 2018). Albright et al. support the need for training programmes

that specifically address cognitive biases and observational conditions (Albright

et al., 2023).

The inclusion of experts in the psychology of testimony in court proceedings can

provide a critical, evidence-based assessment of the reliability of eyewitness

testimony. Pearson et al. and Albright et al. highlight how these experts can

explain to judges and juries the effects of cognitive biases, observation conditions

and cross-examination techniques on witness memory, thereby improving the

quality of justice (Pearson et al., 2018; Albright et al., 2023).

The comparative analysis of the reviewed studies highlights the importance of

considering multiple factors that affect the reliability of eyewitness testimony.

Cognitive biases, observation conditions, interrogation techniques and judicial

recommendations are critical elements that must be addressed to improve the

accuracy of eyewitness testimony in the judicial setting. Integrating these findings

into judicial practices can help minimise miscarriages of justice and ensure fairer

and more accurate decisions.

Table 2. Integrated results.

CATEGORY

SUBCATEGORY

DESCRIPTION

Cognitive biases

Confirmation bias and the

effect of subsequent

information

Castrellon et al. (2023) and

Cecconello & Stein (2020)

indicate that these biases can

lead to significant errors in

testimony. Rouder, Wixted &

Christenfeld (2018) find that

the probability of an

erroneous conviction

Verdad y Derecho

Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales

Vol. 3(2), 60-74, 2024

Psicología del testimonio en el proceso judicial: Análisis de la fiabilidad del testimonio ocular

Psychology of testimony in the judicial process: Analysis of the reliability of eye-witness testimony

Jairo Ramón Villasmil-Ferrer

increases with subsequent

information.

Cognitive biases

Reconstructive memory

Luna-Salas (2021) and

González-Coulon (2023)

emphasise that emotions and

context can influence the

accuracy of eyewitness

testimony.

Cognitive biases

Impact on eye witnessing

Studies highlight the need to

train judges and juries to

recognise and mitigate these

biases during trials (Sánchez-

Gómez, 2018).

Observation conditions

Lighting and visibility

Denne, Stolzenberg & Neal

(2021) and Gonzalez-Coulon

(2023) found that testimonials

obtained in low light

conditions are more prone to

error.

Observation conditions

Event duration and distance

Julià-Pijoan (2023) shows

that limited exposure and

observation from a great

distance can reduce the

witness's ability to correctly

identify a suspect.

Observation conditions

Stress and anxiety

Sporer & Antonelli (2022) and

Schellong et al. (2024) found

that elevated stress can

interfere with the encoding

and storage of memories.

Interrogation techniques

Suggestive interrogations

Sporer & Antonelli (2022) and

Schellong et al. (2024)

highlight how suggestive

questioning can induce errors

in testimony.

Interrogation techniques

Evidence-based methods

Cecconello & Stein (2020)

and Mnookin (2023) argue

that evidence-based methods

are more effective in

obtaining accurate testimony.

Judicial recommendations

Training of judges and juries

Sánchez-Gómez (2018) and

Albright et al. (2023) suggest

that training in principles of

the psychology of testimony

can help to critically evaluate

testimonial evidence.

Judicial recommendations

Inclusion of experts in the

psychology of witnessing

Pearson et al. (2018) and

Albright et al. (2023) highlight

how experts can improve the

Verdad y Derecho

Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales

Vol. 3(2), 60-74, 2024

Psicología del testimonio en el proceso judicial: Análisis de la fiabilidad del testimonio ocular

Psychology of testimony in the judicial process: Analysis of the reliability of eye-witness testimony

Jairo Ramón Villasmil-Ferrer

quality of justice by

accounting for the effects of

cognitive biases and

observational conditions.

Source: Own elaboration.

Table 2 shows the integrated results of the documentary analysis, providing

insight into how various factors influence the reliability of eyewitness testimony.

Each category and subcategory highlights specific studies that identify the main

elements that may affect the accuracy of testimony. Highlighting that:

Cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias and the effect of subsequent

information, can distort the witness's memory, leading to significant errors. The

studies cited above highlight the importance of training judges and jurors to

recognise and mitigate these biases.

Observation conditions, including lighting, event duration and stress level, play a

crucial role in the accuracy of testimony. Poor lighting and short event duration

can reduce the accuracy of testimony, while stress can interfere with memory.

Suggestive questioning can induce errors in testimony, while evidence-based

methods, such as the cognitive approach, are more effective in eliciting accurate

testimony. This finding emphasises the need to adopt interrogation techniques

that minimise suggestibility.

The training of judges and juries in the principles of the psychology of testimony

and the inclusion of experts in the psychology of testimony in trials are crucial to

improve the assessment of the reliability of testimony. These experts can provide

a critical and evidence-based assessment, thus improving the quality of justice.

CONCLUSION

Analysis of the psychology of testimony in the judicial process, focusing on the

reliability of eyewitness testimony, reveals the complexity and multitude of factors

that can influence the accuracy of witnesses' recollections. Cognitive biases,

such as confirmation bias and the effect of subsequent information, can

Verdad y Derecho

Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales

Vol. 3(2), 60-74, 2024

Psicología del testimonio en el proceso judicial: Análisis de la fiabilidad del testimonio ocular

Psychology of testimony in the judicial process: Analysis of the reliability of eye-witness testimony

Jairo Ramón Villasmil-Ferrer

significantly distort witness memory, underscoring the need for judicial operators

to recognise and mitigate these biases.

Observation conditions, such as lighting, duration of the event and stress, must

be carefully considered to fairly assess the reliability of testimony. Evidence-

based interrogation techniques, such as the cognitive approach, are superior for

obtaining accurate testimony, while suggestive interrogation may induce errors.

It is therefore crucial to adopt robust and scientifically sound interrogation

practices.

FUNDING

Non-monetary

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

There is no conflict of interest with persons or institutions involved in research.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

To forensic psychologists.

REFERENCES

Albright, T. D., Baltimore, D., Mazza, A. M., Mnookin, J. L., & Tatel, D. S. (2023). Science,

evidence, law, and justice. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the

United States of America, 120(41), e2312529120.

https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2312529120

Castrellon, J. J., Hakimi, S., Parelman, J. M., Yin, L., Law, J. R., Skene, J. A. G., Ball, D. A.,

Malekpour, A., Beskind, D. H., Vidmar, N., Pearson, J. M., Skene, J. H. P., & Carter, R.

M. (2023). Social cognitive processes explain bias in juror decisions. Social cognitive and

affective neuroscience, 18(1), nsac057. https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsac057

Cecconello, William Weber, & Stein, Lilian Milnitsky (2020). Preventing injustice: how the

psychology of testimony helps to understand and prevent false recognition of a suspect.

Avances en Psicología Latinoamericana, 38(1), 172-188.

https://doi.org/10.12804/revistas.urosario.edu.co/apl/a.6471

Denne, E., Stolzenberg, S. N., & Neal, T. M. S. (2021). The effects of evidence-based expert

testimony on perceptions of child sexual abuse involving recantation. PloS one, 16(8),

e0254961. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0254961

González-Coulon, María de los Ángeles (2023). An incredible, but believable history of words:

reliability, credibility and testimony [Una increíble, aunque verosímil historia de las

Verdad y Derecho

Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales

Vol. 3(2), 60-74, 2024

Psicología del testimonio en el proceso judicial: Análisis de la fiabilidad del testimonio ocular

Psychology of testimony in the judicial process: Analysis of the reliability of eye-witness testimony

Jairo Ramón Villasmil-Ferrer

palabras: fiabilidad, credibilidad y testimonios]. Revista de derecho (Valdivia), 36(2), 187-

204. https://dx.doi.org/10.4067/s0718-09502023000200187

Julià-Pijoan, Miquel (2023). An analysis of the rationale for eyewitness testimony as evidence,

based on empirical research. Ius et Praxis, 29(2), 44-63.

https://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-00122023000200044

Luna-Salas, Fernando (2021). Reliability of Testimonial Evidence: Brief Analysis from the

Psychology of Testimony and Memory Errors [Relabilidad de la prueba testimonial: breve

análisis desde la psicología del testimonio y los errores de la memoria]. Prolegomena,

24(48), 53-67. https://doi.org/10.18359/prole.5701

Mnookin, J. (2023). Science, justice, and evidence. Science (New York, N.Y.), 382(6672), 741.

https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adm8834

Páez, Andrés (2014). Testimonial Evidence and the Epistemology of Testimony [La prueba

testimonial y la epistemología del testimonio]. Isonomía, (40), 95-118.

Pearson, J. M., Law, J. R., Skene, J. A. G., Beskind, D. H., Vidmar, N., Ball, D. A., Malekpour, A.,

Carter, R. M., & Skene, J. H. P. (2018). Modelling the effects of crime type and evidence

on judgments about guilt. Nature human behaviour, 2(11), 856-866.

Rouder, J. N., Wixted, J. T., & Christenfeld, N. J. S. (2018). Cognitive-psychology expertise and

the calculation of the probability of a wrongful conviction. Psychonomic bulletin & review,

25(6), 2380-2388. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13423-018-1465-2.

Sánchez-Gómez, G. (2018). Testimony, Justice and Memory. Reflexiones preliminares sobre una

trilogía actual [Testimony, Justice and Memory. Preliminary reflections on a current

trilogy]. Estudios Políticos, (53), 19-47. https://doi.org/10.17533/udea.espo.n53a02

Schellong, J., Schellong, A., Gast, U., Frommberger, U., Jatzko, A., & Schäfer, I. (2024). Trauma

und Erinnerung - ein Beitrag zur aktuellen Debatte in Recht und Psychotherapie [Trauma

and memory-A contribution to the current debate in law and psychotherapy]. Der

Nervenarzt, 95(7), 608-615. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00115-024-01665-x

Sporer, S. L., & Antonelli, M. (2022). Psychology of eyewitness testimony in Germany in the 20th

century. History of psychology, 25(2), 143-169. https://doi.org/10.1037/hop0000199

the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) licence.

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/