The Accuracy of Eye Witness Testimony and Its Flaws

As citizens of the United States of America, we believe the U.S. is a very successful country compared to the rest of the world. For the most part, we also trust and respect our complex justice system. If a suspect is proven guilty by the court of law and claims he or she is innocent, we usually have more faith in the court's decision rather than what the suspect is trying to say. After all, we do want as many criminals as possible behind bars, right? If the crime committed was very disturbing such as murdering a child we become very furious and we want to make sure that someone pays for that. Once the court rules a guilty verdict against a suspect in such a horrible case, we feel safe for another day in our comfortable homes. All thanks to our perfect judicial system another criminal is behind bars.

The U.S. courts do often help protect the rest of society by locking up dangerous people. Unfortunately the system is far from perfect and innocent people receive guilty verdicts. These innocent people are torn away from their families, careers, free life and faced with humiliation. They often face many years or life behind bars and even the death penalty. Such a harsh punishment for the person who did not commit the crime. It is scary to think that anyone of us can fall in to this loop-hole in our judicial system where we can face time in prison even though we are innocent.

How could this happen, how can the court misjudge such life impacting cases and come up with the wrong verdict? Researchers had done many investigations on wrongful arrests, they found that the large majority of arrests were mistaken because eyewitnesses have pointed out the wrong people. Having as many criminals as possible behind bars in today's system comes with a price, the price of innocent people going to jail too. The emotional victims want someone to pay for the crime, as long as someone gets punished they will feel better. The victim will go home and feel safer, sometimes not realizing that an innocent person is paying a price so the victim can feel cozy.

Many experiments conclude that jurors and law professionals rely a lot on eyewitnesses to come up with a guilty or not guilty verdict. Gary Wells (1998) researched forty special cases. In all forty cases DNA proved that all forty convicted suspects were innocent. In thirty-six of these cases eyewitnesses wrongfully accused the suspects. This is a major flaw with eye witness testimony. This is a crime in itself! First of all we are talking about forty people being wrongfully accused. More than three quarters of them are accused thanks to their "perfect memory" witnesses. This alone proves that eye witness testimonies should not be given as much credit as they are in today's justice system.

A real life example of the eye witness testimony flaw is the Harris and Adams case. A police officer pulled over a vehicle at night to let the driver know that his headlights were turned off. The driver pulled out a gun and killed the officer. Suspect Harris was found a month later denying that he shot the officer. Harris claimed he picked up a hitch-hiker who was driving the car and the hitch-hiker shot the officer. The second suspect Adams who was the hitch-hiker claimed he was innocent but three witnesses claimed they saw him shoot the officer because Adams had a mustache and long hair which fit in to their description. Although Harris confessed that he stole the car and the loaded handgun, Adams was charged for the murder because three witnesses claimed they saw a description of Adams shooting the officer. Years later, the freed Harris was charged for a different murder and confessed on death row that he also shot the police officer twelve years earlier. Adams was finally released after an innocent twelve year sentence. Three witnesses pointed the finger at the wrong person.

How can three different witnesses point at the wrong person? Human memory is not like video or photo camera that can bring up a clear picture later in time. Our memories are often distorted by our schemas and other factors. If we are missing a piece of the picture when trying to remember something, our mind will replace it with something else. In this situation we will have a skewed memory. It was dark outside when the officer pulled the car over, therefore we can only see parts of the situation. Our mind can fill in those dark spots with other schemas when we try to remember the situation at a future time. The other problem can be the biased questions that police officers and investigators ask the eyewitnesses. For example if the officer has seen the suspect in custody, the officer's questions to the witness may be biased by the suspect's true description. Unknowingly, the officer might even make hints as to whether the witness is on the right track for describing a similar description of the suspect.

Another study was done by Patricia Tollestrup, John Turtle, and John Yille. The study focused on how we acquisition or pay attention to a certain scene, how we store that information and how we retrieve it later from our memory. They studied cases where the suspect confessed to the crime. These cases had eyewitness bystanders and eyewitness victims. The bystanders proved to have a more accurate memory of the crime scene than the victims involved. 100% of the bystanders remembered if the suspect had facial hair, only 60% of the crime victims remembered this correctly. Only 48% of the bystanders and 38% of the victims involved remembered the hair color of the suspect. The worse part is that both the bystanders and the victim eyewitnesses chose the right criminal 48% of the time in a lineup. This study shows that eyewitness testimony is very weak. It also shows that if the eyewitness was the victim of the crime, chances are their testimony is even weaker because of many factors that bias their memory. Another major reason why eye witness testimony should not take as much weight as it does today.

Jurors in a court case often don't realize the imperfections of eye witness testimony. They don't realize how imperfect our memories can be. If the jurors hear a great deal of confident detail about the crime from the witness, the jurors can easily be convinced by such a testimony. In an unusual event such as a short crime scene, a witness only collects pieces of the scene and later tries to put it altogether in to a story. Another conflict we have with memory is cross-racial identification. We have more difficulty identifying someone of another race other than ours. For example a black witness might have a harder time identifying a white suspect because blacks find it easier to differentiate between blacks. A black witness will have a harder time differentiating between whites the same as whites will have a tough time differentiating between Asians or Hispanics.

Another flaw that sometimes if not often puts innocent people in jail is the confident testimony of a victim that was seriously hurt or violated (Loftus). When this victim says with confidence "this is the guy that did it, I will never forget that face..." it is hard not to discredit their feelings and the fact that they lived through that horrible crime. Therefore it becomes easy to go with their testimony. A huge problem that Elizabeth Loftus talks about is the fact that judges will often not allow an expert to testify to the jury about the flaws of eyewitness testimony. Some judges will allow it, but others will make excuses as to why this expert testimony is not allowed. This leaves the jury uneducated about eyewitness flaws which potentially leads to a wrongful verdict.

When further researching the subject, I was amazed at some of the statistics I read about the inaccuracy of eye witness testimony. This is even if the crime occurred in broad daylight and there were many witnesses. I was also amazed at how much the courts rely on witnesses. Elizabeth Loftus went on to explain that when a judge decides not educate the jury of memory inconsistency of eyewitnesses, the jury for the most part decides the verdict from their "gut feeling". They ignore the balance that needs to be present between physical scientific evidence and witness testimony. The jurors without the simple education rely too heavily on the witness. This leads the jurors to make the wrong decision and possibly convict the wrong person. Another great point that was made by Loftus is the repetition of seeing the accused person. When the victim spends time seeing the person in photos, in lineups, in the courtroom, the suspect even if truly innocent becomes encrypted more and more in the victims memory. This makes it possible that if the victim saw the true criminal he or she probably wont recognize the criminal anymore especially if the victim saw the criminal once for a short time during the crime.

Our ability to remember accurately is not as reliable as we think it is. We are often unaware that our memories change which causes us to change the story from what really happened. We often forget the importance of the factors that can skew our memory and perception. Unfortunately we think factors such as confidence and details are more important and reliable when in fact these factors cause errors in decision making. When a case is made, the court system and the police should not rely so heavily on eye witness testimony, they need to continue to find more evidence in a case even if there are witnesses who sound like they have a good story.

Read some true stories that related to flawed eye witness testimonies and you will see how damaging it can be!

Home Theater Room Design - Where Do I Start?

Once we decide we want a home theater design for our very own - what then? Do we have room for it in the basement, or in a spare room? Will our electricity have the power to handle it? Most professional designers will tell us that the design of our home theater system has to meet specific requirements in order to place it inside our home. For example, our theater system set-up must fit with the size and shape within our home, with the sound likely to be off if this is not done correctly - causing it to be less than the high quality sound system we originally purchased. Without much trouble, the theater design can be created within our home if done correctly. Seeking to reproduce an actual theater or cinema quality environment, the fact is that a large-screen high definition television or projection system requires certain things to work correctly.

Basically, the technical description of a home theater system is a television, VCR, DVD, and a set of speakers. When we are selecting a home theater combination, our first considerations should be about the design elements in the home. If we will be purchasing a theater set-up that is going to fill a larger room, we may need to consider additional elements, such as the amount of speakers that are needed. Quite possibly, a sales person or a designer in the store we purchased our set-up from, will help us with the layout. This can be the sales person, a professional designer, or obtaining professional services from someone else. We may find that the design aspect of the theater is not as complicated as we originally thought. In fact, many adept home owners are able to do this on their own when they take a home theater kit out of the box in their living room.

Most research have found that when setting up the home theater system within the home, if the homes have a complete home cinema set-up the layout of the speakers is common to use the speakers integrated within the TV instead of playing the sound through the surround sound system. Spend a few extra minutes to make sure that you have the right home theater for your home and it is hooked up correctly. The design of it should be easy to install, but by far the most important thing is that the quality of the sound system should be as close to perfect as possible. When we take the time to do this, we will have created the perfect theater for our home. If we find we cannot do this, we can work with a movie theater specialist to help us to come up with specific needs, based on our home's shape and needs. The other option is to follow the directions that are provided to us with our movie theater system.

The Benefits of Professional Antique Car Restoration

Do you have an antique car that you would like to have restored? Antique car restoration is increasing in popularity. More and more classic or antique car owners are making the decision to try and restore their antique cars back to their original state. If you are one of those car owners, you will find that you have a number of different options. Those options include have your antique car professionally restored or performing your own restoration. After a close examination, you will likely see that professional restoration is your best option; it has a large number of benefits.

Perhaps, the greatest benefit of having your antique car professionally restored is the end result. In the United States, there are a fairly good number of individuals and companies who specialize in antique car restoration. Many of these individuals and companies are highly trained and experienced in car restoration. This experience often means that you are guaranteed better results, when compared the results you would likely get when doing your own antique car restoration. Of course, it is important to examine which professional you hire. Be sure to view samples of previous restoration projects, examine feedback online, or inquire about restoration training.

Since the main purpose of antique car restoration is to restore an antique car back to its originally state, antique restoration parts are needed. The parts that will be needed will all depend on your antique car, namely its make. Although it is possible to find your own antique car restoration parts, it can be extremely difficult and time consuming. Many professionals do not have this same problem, especially those who have developed their own antique car restoration businesses. Overtime, many antique car restoration specialists develop close working relationships with antique car suppliers. In fact, many specialists have an individual who works only on finding the needed antique car restoration parts and accessories. This allows them to save time, something that you may not have to find your own parts.

Documentation is another benefit of having your antique car professionally restored. Many professional antique car restoration experts will provide you with documentation of the restoration project. This may include a detailed list of all of the changes made or even pictures. If pictures are provided to you, they will likely include before, during, and after pictures. These items will not only allow you to show your friends or your family how your antique car was restored, but they may also come in handy if you are looking to sell your antique car, whether it be now or later on in life. When it comes to buying a restored antique car, many buyers want detailed information on what was restored and what is original.

As you can see, there are a number of benefits to having your antique car professionally restored. If you would like to learn additional benefits, you are urged to contact one of your local antique car restoration specialists or companies.

The Tribal Tattoo Art

Tribal tattoos are generally influenced by tribal art from native and indigenous tribes. This tattoo art comes from the older tribes such as the Celtics (Ireland, Scotland, & Wales), the Maori Tribe (indigenous people of New Zealand), the North American Tribal, the African Tribal, the Marquesan (Polynesian inhabitants of the Marquises Islands) and the tribes of Borneo.

Celtic Tattoo Art

Celtic tattoo art come from Ireland. Celtic knot tattoos are some of the most popular and most common designs, featuring loops with no end that symbolize a never ending cycle of dying and rebirth. There are also Celtic cross and animal tattoo designs as well

Mori Tribal tattoo Art

The Maori, the aborigines of New Zealand, call their tattoo "Moko" and Mori art is incredible to behold. To the Maori, a person's Moko designs enhanced their prestige and show transition from one social status to another. At its highest level, Moko designs proclaimed the sacredness of chieftainship.

North American Tribal Art

There are many Indian tribes in North America and many different traditions for tattooing. It was very common for tattoos to denote rank within the tribe. Take the Illinois Indians for example. It was quite common for weapons of war to be tattooed upon the men and it is suggested by some that the women received tattoos of tools used for labor. The tools of war outranked the tools of labor. This was, to the best of my knowledge, their tradition. They seemingly kept their practices to a minimum.

Samoa Tribal tattoo art

The Samoan tattoo was done with a carved boar tusk, sharpened with a piece of coral, attached to a turtle shell, and then affixed to a stick. This tool is used to carve the designs into the flesh by tapping it against the skin and then a mixture of candle nut soot and sugar water is rubbed into the resulting wound.

Marquesan Tribal tattoo art

Sea-faring Polynesians from Samoa colonized the Marquises Islands as early as 300 A.D. They were warring tribes who sometimes cannibalized their enemies. Marquesan art is very uncommon. Most tribal tattoos are done with one specific object and the size variation is minimal. This is not so with the Pacific.

African Tribal tattoo art

Tribes in Africa do not use pigment for tattooing, they cut the skin and either the wound is packed with a substance so that it becomes raised or it is rubbed with ash or sand until the wound rises up, then the scar is the tattoo.

Borneo Tribal tattoo Art

Borneo is the third largest island in the world. The Dayak people reside here for centuries, they believe that spirits are in everything around them. For this reason they believe that by tattooing an object or creature on them they can draw energy from these spirits.

While the tribal tattoo was originally used to identify members of specific tribes, represent battles fought, and to serve as the symbolization of social status, today tribal tattoo art is a popular fashion. a lot of people today choose various designs simply for aesthetic reasons. Some of the most popular designs include dragon, butterfly and suntribal tattoos. This tattoo can be put virtually anywhere on the body, The back and arms are usually the most common areas where people have them applied, but the ankle, calf, and chest are also used.

The Tribal tattoo art expresses personal freedom and uniqueness of the wearer. Tribal art has a simple appeal that reinforces a positive feeling about ourselves and connects us to ancient mystery of the tribal rituals, which faded away with history.

How to Prepare for Home Inspections

Looking forward to selling your old home in favor of a new and more favorable home? Then you really should get ready for the challenges and ordeals that you have to go through in order to successfully sell your home either via a real estate agent or company or directly through a friend or a contact.

Before you go and enjoy the rewards of your labor, you should focus on one particular aspect that you might have neglected, the home inspection. A home inspection is often described as a limited and non-invasive examination of the condition of the home that is being sold to another group of individuals. These home inspections are usually left at the able hands of well-trained and properly certified home inspector. After the inspection, the inspector reports back to the potential buyers who is then expected to decide based on the gathered data if the house is worth purchasing or if they should keep looking.

As a seller, it is really your responsibility to make the sale and to answer both the buyers and the home inspector in a prompt and timely way. As the former owner, it is also important that you would be able to tell buyers of what to expect from the home, what are the secret areas if there is any as well as the things that only an owner can tell. You should also consider some of the things that an inspector might look for or search for once the home inspection begins such as:

1. Exteriors - elements for this include wall coverings, grading, elevation, drainage, fences and sidewalks and even windows, doors and wall coverings.

2. Structure - elements include ceilings, roof foundations, floors and flooring or tiles and walls.

3. Plumbing - elements include toilets, showers, sinks, taps, faucets and drains

4. Systems and components - elements include water heater, furnace, air conditioning, chimney or fireplace and sprinklers.

5. Electrical elements - elements include circuit breakers, main panel, wiring and grounding and exhaust fans other plugs.

6. Garage - elements include garage doors, openers, lights, and windows.

Take one step ahead of the home inspector if ever you really are serious in selling your home. Contact your own contractor and supervise the repair of your home yourself. You might ask why should you spend more money when your already looking to sell it. The principle behind it is quite simple. You have to spend a little extra to earn a little extra. This means that you would be able to charge an extra amount when the inspector sees that the house looks perfect and in pristine condition.

A repair issue is one thing that can definitely break the deal especially for new home buyers who have never experienced selling their homes.

It might look cumbersome and a big hassle but you have to understand that this is the trend right now in buying and selling houses not only in America but also in the rest of the world. According to a recent study, over 80% of real estate companies and agents or brokers offer to do a home inspection in behalf of their clients to help seal the deal for both sides. A staggering 77% of home buyers, according to that study has also done a thorough home inspection before purchasing their home.

What Employers Really Look For When Hiring a College Graduate in 2009

Even though we are in a recession; the war for talent still exists. Now more than ever employers are looking even more closely for individuals who can "contribute to the organizations bottom line." Very simply, employers are looking for candidates who have the right degree and skill-sets necessary for success in the position they are trying to fill. This may appear to be an obvious statement; but, many college graduates don't take this basic message to heart. The completion of a degree does not guarantee a job. Employers want to know what you will do for them.

The 2008 survey conducted by collegegrad.com indicated that 44% of the responding employers ranked the graduates major as the top priority, interviewing skills placed second, a graduates internship and experience ranked third, and 10% of respondents cited the college the student graduated from came in fourth as a priority in their hiring consideration process.According to the National Association of Colleges and Businesses 2009 job survey, the top 5 personal qualities/skills employers seek, are: communication skills (verbal and written), a strong work ethic, teamwork skills (works well with others), initiative and analytical skills in that order.

The above is useful information to consider when preparing to look for a job; however, to compete most effectively, candidates need to know more, and do more, with the information so they can set themselves apart from others in today's competitive job market. And...in addition to the above, there are other important considerations organizations look for when considering candidates for a position.

When you get by the obvious, right major, relevant skill set and the ability to interview and possibly the completion of a well directed internship, the "attitude" of the candidate becomes one of the major factors in the hiring process. In fact, the majority of employers in good organizations have adopted the mantra "hire attitude, train skill." They have come to realize over time that smart people can learn new skills, but individuals with a poor attitude most often cannot be change, nor does the organization want to invest the time, money and effort to change a person's attitude. The message about a great attitude is not being imparted strongly to very many graduates. One of the major keys to employment is a great, genuine and positive attitude!

Secondly, your demonstrated work ethic is critical to your potential employer. What will you do in your new job that will fill the employer's needs? What have you learned in college, internships, part time jobs, volunteer work or life experiences that will enable you to apply and take advantage of opportunities in their organization?

Most college graduates are "theory smart." They know what the book says and have proven their ability to pass curriculum requirements, the big question the employer is concerned about is "can you apply in the real world what you have learned." Can you write a report which clearly communicates and has impact? Can you effectively communicate within a team setting to help bring a project to a successful conclusion? Do you have a "get it done in a cost effective manner" attitude? Being able to demonstrate how you will apply the theory you have learned in school to real situations in the workplace, will give you a leg up on the competition.

Third, can you demonstrate leadership skills in the workplace? Leadership shows a willingness to take an active interest in something or someone to the next level. As a college graduate, most often you will quickly be expected to take on the responsibility of a leadership role in your career. This can be in the form of project management or a team leadership role. If you are a leader verses a follower, and can provide leadership examples, employers will be more likely to hire you. Your leadership abilities are also a good indication to the hiring organization that you are a self-starter and a take charge person.

The over-riding message expressed by employers in all segments of the for-profit and non-profit organizations is this... Employers are looking for people who can do the job. Employers want people who have the necessary academic, technical and interpersonal skills and competencies required for the position for which they are being considered. One last quality hiring employers like to see is the knowledge the applicant has of their organization. Research the company as deeply as possible so you demonstrate in your resume, cover letter and interview your knowledge of their operation. The extent of your "company knowledge" will enable you to ask pointed and clear questions and demonstrate your sincere interest in their organization. If you take a serious interest in them, they might just return the same to you.