Question: reply to this. When someone sees a robbery, their memory of it can be shaped by stress, emotions, or background. Since it's a scary situation,
reply to this. When someone sees a robbery, their memory of it can be shaped by stress, emotions, or background. Since it's a scary situation, they might not remember everything clearly or get all the details right. According to Deffenbacher et al. (2004), "high levels of stress impair eyewitness performance on tasks requiring memory and recognition accuracy" (p. 696). Criminal justice professionals must consider this when evaluating testimony. Everyone views situations differently, so it's important to know that a witness's story is shaped by what they've been through, what they believe, and how they feel. Gudjonsson (2003) explains, "personal factors and situational context play a crucial role in shaping witness statements and behavior" (p. 112). For example, asking, "Did the suspect act weird?" is vague and can mean different things to different people. A more straightforward way to ask would be, "What did the suspect do that stood out to you?" Asking precise questions helps get better, more accurate answers. According to Hollway (2016), "Prosecutors and defense attorneys may use witness interviews to conduct Root Cause Analysis (RCA), identifying inconsistencies or motives." (p. 4). These insights help build a stronger case by ensuring that evidence is rooted in fact, not assumption. References Deffenbacher, K. A., Bornstein, B. H., Penrod, S. D., & McGorty, E. K. (2004). "A meta-analytic review of the effects of high stress on eyewitness memory." Law and
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