Remembering remotely:would video-mediation impair witnesses' memory reports?

Abstract

Witnesses often experience lengthy delays prior to being interviewed, during which their memories inevitably decay. Video-communication technology - favored by intergovernmental organizations for playing larger roles in judicial processes - might circumvent some of the resourcing problems that can exacerbate such delays. However, whereas video-mediation might facilitate expeditious interviewing, it might also harm rapport-building, make witnesses uncomfortable, and thereby undermine the quality and detail of their reports. Participants viewed a crime film and were interviewed either one day later via video-link, one day later face-to-face, or 1-2 weeks later face-to-face. Video-mediation neither influenced the detail or the accuracy of participants' reports, nor their ratings of the quality of the interviews. However, participants who underwent video-mediated interviews after a short delay gave more accurate, detailed reports than participants who waited longer to be interviewed face-to-face. This study provides initial empirical evidence that video-mediated communication (VMC) could facilitate the expeditious conduct of high-quality investigative interviews.

Publication DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1068316X.2013.857669
Divisions: College of Health & Life Sciences
Additional Information: This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Psychology, Crime & Law on 15/11/13, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/1068316X.2013.857669
Uncontrolled Keywords: eyewitness memory,interviewing,rapport-building,videoconferencing,virtual justice,Law,Pathology and Forensic Medicine,Psychology(all)
Publication ISSN: 1477-2744
Last Modified: 05 Jan 2024 08:10
Date Deposited: 28 Apr 2015 14:30
Full Text Link:
Related URLs: http://www.scop ... tnerID=8YFLogxK (Scopus URL)
http://www.tand ... 16X.2013.857669 (Publisher URL)
PURE Output Type: Article
Published Date: 2014
Published Online Date: 2013-11-15
Authors: Nash, Robert A. (ORCID Profile 0000-0002-2284-2001)
Houston, Kate A.
Ryan, Kate
Woodger, Nigel

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Version: Accepted Version


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