Iraqis start burning each other alive infront of army posts

[Thorgrim]

Originally Posted by Diamond Cross

I didn't say anything about keeping cameras away.

I said if there are no pictures, no video, i.e. no hard evidence beyond hearsay, then it didn't happen. All we have are baseless claims.

And it's been proven that eyewitness testimony is problematic at best.

So, if you don't have the hard evidence, such as video and/or pictures, to support the story then it's only a story that probably didn't happen.

eyewitness testimony alone locks up people everyday

[JaJae]

Originally Posted by Thorgrim

eyewitness testimony alone locks up people everyday

Yes, but that eye-witness testimony needs a name and credibility. Something this case does not have.

[Diamond Cross]

Originally Posted by Thorgrim

eyewitness testimony alone locks up people everyday

And many more are locked away because of false eyewitness testimony.

The vast majority of cases are won with corroborating evidence.

At the same time, numerous psychological studies have shown that human beings are not very good at identifying people they saw only once for a relatively short period of time. The studies reveal error rates of as high as fifty percent — a frightening statistic given that many convictions may be based largely or solely on such testimony.

These studies show further that the ability to identify a stranger is diminished by stress (and what crime situation is not intensely stressful?), that cross-racial identifications are especially unreliable, and that contrary to what one might think, those witnesses who claim to be "certain" of their identifications are no better at it than everyone else, just more confident.

FindLaw's Writ - Dorf: How Reliable Is Eyewitness Testimony?

[Thorgrim]

those studies have been dismissed by most (actually i think all) jurisdictions

[JaJae]

Originally Posted by Thorgrim

those studies have been dismissed by most (actually i think all) jurisdictions

Through all my studies in criminal justice and psychology I have learned the opposite. Eye-witness testimony is very unreliable and the more we learn about it the less weight it is given.

The studies are accurate. The general consensus in the psychology and justice fields is that eye witness testimony is far less accurate than previously thought and the quote that was posted above is a very good representation of the current beliefs of experts in America.