Are Children Reliable Witnesses?

This book explores how reliable children can be as witnesses in criminal cases, discussing memory mechanisms, developmental factors, and factors that affect jurors' perception. It highlights the importance of proper interviewing practices to ensure justice is achieved.

Format: Hardback
Length: 163 pages
Publication date: 23 September 2022
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

Children who are victims of crimes or witnesses to them may face intense questioning by the police, including being asked to identify suspects from line-ups. However, the reliability of children's testimonies under such stressful circumstances is a topic of concern. In his book, Dr. Ben Cotterill delves into practices and factors that can influence the accuracy of children's testimonies. He explores memory mechanisms and developmental factors that contribute to children's ability to describe or identify events. Additionally, he examines how jurors perceive child witnesses and the potential compromises to their eyewitness performance due to situational factors and individual differences.

Numerous instances have highlighted the consequences of poor interviewing practices with children, resulting in false imprisonments. These cases serve as a stark reminder of how both situational factors and individual characteristics can undermine children's ability to provide accurate testimony.

Given our current understanding, can we develop recommendations to ensure that in a court of law, innocence is the guiding principle in achieving justice? This book offers valuable insights into the practices and factors that can enhance or diminish the reliability of children's testimonies, ultimately contributing to the pursuit of truth and fairness in the legal system.

Weight: 362g
Dimension: 157 x 218 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031103810
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022