Are old witnesses always poorer witnesses? Identification accuracy, context reinstatement, own-age bias

Authors: Wilcock, Rachel A.¹; Bull, Ray²; Vrij, Aldert³

Source: Psychology, Crime and Law, Volume 13, Number 3, June 2007 , pp. 305-316(12)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

Young adults (16-30 years) and old adults (64-86 years) (N=96) viewed a staged videotaped crime event involving a young and old perpetrator. Prior to viewing either target present (TP) or target absent (TA) line-ups, half the participants received context reinstatement photographs. For the young line-up a significant effect of age group was found with old participants demonstrating poorer performance. However, on the old line-up there was no significant effect of age group. Importantly, a significant beneficial effect of context reinstating photographs existed for participants viewing the old TA line-up. An own-age bias did not exist for either age group in terms of accuracy but young participants were significantly more likely to choose a line-up member from the old line-ups compared to the young line-ups. It was concluded that given certain circumstances it may be possible for old adults to perform at an equivalent level to young adults.

Keywords: Old witnesses; eyewitness; identification line-up; ageing

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10683160600822212

Affiliations: 1: London South Bank University, UK 2: University of Leicester, UK 3: University of Portsmouth, UK

Publication date: 2007-06-01