Injustice for All with Robert Simels

How Eyewitness Testimony Fails Justice


Listen Later

In this episode of 'Injustice for All,' the host interviews Dr. Elizabeth Loftus, a leading memory expert, about the reliability of eyewitness testimony. They discuss how memories can be easily manipulated by suggestions, misinformation, and other factors. Dr. Loftus explains her research on the 'misinformation effect,' where people's recollections of events can be altered, and shares instances of false memories, including the case of Steve Titus, who was wrongfully convicted due to faulty eyewitness identification. The conversation also covers historical cases like the McMartin preschool trial, where children were led to develop false memories of abuse. They explore how suggestive therapies can implant false memories and discuss the broader implications for the criminal justice system, emphasizing the need for awareness and better practices to prevent wrongful convictions.


00:00 Introduction to Episode 4: Memory and Justice

00:27 The Fragility of Memory in the Legal System

01:09 Perry Mason and the Reality of Courtroom Confessions

02:54 Manipulation of Witnesses: A Personal Anecdote

04:36 Introducing Dr. Elizabeth Loftus

05:50 The Misinformation Effect: How Memories are Contaminated

07:23 Case Study: The Tragic Story of Steve Titus

10:23 Planting False Memories: Experimental Insights

15:26 Therapeutic Suggestion and False Memories

17:57 The McMartin Preschool Case and Its Impact

22:00 The Power of Suggestion in Therapy

25:12 False Memories in Legal Testimonies

31:20 Prosecutors and the Malleability of Memory

33:25 The Broader Implications of False Memories

34:46 Conclusion: The Importance of Understanding Memory

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Injustice for All with Robert SimelsBy Robert Simels