Opening the Gait! Effects of Witness Type and Identification Factors on Mock-Juror Decision-Making

Memorial Union Ballroom 214C

Surveillance cameras are used by law enforcement for many purposes, including security, monitoring, and investigating crimes. Although studies have examined participants' ability to accurately match previously viewed faces with faces viewed on surveillance video, few studies have investigated the effects of witness face identification expertise and identification factors on mock-juror decision making. The current study investigated perpetrator identification factors (Multiple identification factors: physical stature, gait, face, clothing vs. gait only) and witness type (detective vs. layperson) on juror decision-making. Participants (n = 239) read a trial transcript depicting an arson and were asked to rate witness effectiveness and reliability and fairness of the identification from the surveillance footage. Results indicated that jurors were more likely to convict when the witness’s identification relied on gait only. These results imply that jurors view one perpetrator identification characteristic, gait, as more precise and therefore more distinctive.