Psychology, Law and Eyewitness Testimony

by Peter B. Ainsworth

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Psychology, Law and Eyewitness Testimony Peter B. Ainsworth, University of Manchester, UK Before giving evidence, witnesses have to swear to tell 'the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth'. Given current knowledge about human perception and memory, it is unlikely that witnesses will be able to keep this promise. Many professionals within the criminal justice and legal system are involved in recording and assessing eyewitness testimony, sometimes with unrealistic expectations of show more the ability of eyewitnesses to provide accurate and objective testimony: they, and students of psychology, law and criminology, will welcome this up-to-date, accessible survey of the concepts and research which now inform our knowledge of this field. Peter Ainsworth, an experienced lecturer and researcher, has written this book in a style suitable for non-specialists, and focuses on how and why witnesses make mistakes, how psychologists can help, and how legal procedures can be improved (for instance, by reducing the pressure on witnesses to guess). The text is authoritative, backed by references to key research, and well illustrated by examples of how psychology and law are interlinked in the study of eyewitness behaviour. "From some books you take new knowledge. Some books consolidate knowledge by clear writing. Occasionally, as in this book, you get both. Peter Ainsworth has done his readers a favour by presenting complex material simply yet succinctly. I hope the book enjoys the wide professional readership which it merits." Ken Pease, OBE, Professor of Criminology, University of Huddersfield, UK show less

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Peter B. Ainsworth is currently a lecturer in the Department of Social Policy and Social Work at the University of Manchester.

Classifications

Genres
Nonfiction, Politics and Government
DDC/MDS
614.1TechnologyMedicine & healthForensic medicine; incidence of injuries, wounds, disease; public preventive medicineForensic medicine
LCC
K5483 .A77LawComparative law. International uniform lawCriminal law and procedureCriminal procedure
BISAC

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7
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2,730,277
Languages
English
Media
Paper
ISBNs
3