Testing a potential alternative to traditional identification procedures: Reaction time-based concealed information test does not work for lineups with cooperative witnesses

Psychol Res. 2019 Sep;83(6):1210-1222. doi: 10.1007/s00426-017-0948-5. Epub 2017 Nov 27.

Abstract

Direct eyewitness identification is widely used, but prone to error. We tested the validity of indirect eyewitness identification decisions using the reaction time-based concealed information test (CIT) for assessing cooperative eyewitnesses' face memory as an alternative to traditional lineup procedures. In a series of five experiments, a total of 401 mock eyewitnesses watched one of 11 different stimulus events that depicted a breach of law. Eyewitness identifications in the CIT were derived from longer reaction times as compared to well-matched foil faces not encountered before. Across the five experiments, the weighted mean effect size d was 0.14 (95% CI 0.08-0.19). The reaction time-based CIT seems unsuited for testing cooperative eyewitnesses' memory for faces. The careful matching of the faces required for a fair lineup or the lack of intent to deceive may have hampered the diagnosticity of the reaction time-based CIT.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cognition / physiology*
  • Crime
  • Criminal Law / methods*
  • Decision Making
  • Expert Testimony / methods*
  • Female
  • Germany
  • Humans
  • Identification, Psychological
  • Male
  • Memory / physiology*
  • Mental Recall / physiology*
  • Reaction Time / physiology*
  • Recognition, Psychology / physiology*
  • Young Adult