2007-07-24 17:20:19 · 7 answers · asked by moma 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
How do you know they arn't lying? I wouldn't trust them for a second, it's like sending someone to prison for a rumour. If we can get DNA, fingerprints, video recordings, and all kinds of forensics, then I don't think witnesses are necessary except to help us get a better idea where to look for evidence.
If a witness tells the police something, they check out the scene and theres evidence to show it happened, then that's fair, but if we only have "eye witness testimony" we only know that they have nothing to back up their claims.
2007-07-24 17:38:03 · answer #1 · answered by malaysniper 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Different eyes see different things. Because of that prosecutors place less faith in them than in forensic evidence. Even the most seemingly creditable witness may not have seen who or what they thought they saw. Thanks to DNA, we are now seeing more and more case of eyewitness misidentification. wrongful conviction and imprisonment brought to light. Sadly, there have been several recent cases where convictions that had been won on incorrect eyewitness identification that resulted in significant prison time and essentially a ruined life for the misidentified. We can all hope that none of the incorrect identifications have led to executions of innocent people - but there probably have been.
2007-07-25 01:42:23 · answer #2 · answered by cwomo 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are 3 sides to every story...your side, my side, and what really happened. So it depends on how the eyewitness sees it.
2007-07-25 00:52:22 · answer #3 · answered by erehwon 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i wouldn't trust them ha vent you every tried that game where you walk out of the room then wait five minutes then go back in and suppose to tell the difference.
or be sitting in a room and something happens and your suppose to describe it in details it a joke you can't even get you team to agree and your sitting at the same table
2007-07-25 01:28:37 · answer #4 · answered by path2631 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You absolutely can not rely on it. It has been proven to be wrong as much as it is right.
2007-07-25 01:04:10 · answer #5 · answered by barry c 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not very.
There is lots of research, enjoy looking it up.
2007-07-25 00:32:19 · answer #6 · answered by Stand-up philosopher. It's good to be the King 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are heavily relied upon by most prosecutors.
However, most surveys and statistics indicate that their accuracy is about 50-50.
2007-07-25 00:32:28 · answer #7 · answered by coragryph 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋