Research into eyewitness identification accuracy typically requires the creation of novel stimulus materials, which can be a challenging and time-consuming task. To facilitate this process and promote further research in this domain, we have developed the Jena Eyewitness Research Stimuli (JERS). This database - freely available for the use of academic purposes - compromises six video sequences depicting a mock theft committed by two different perpetrators, available in both 2D and 360° formats, combined with the corresponding lineup images presented in 2D or 3D format. The inclusion of 360° videos and 3D lineups encourages the use of innovative data formats in experimental investigations of eyewitness accuracy, especially with virtual reality compatibility, allowing for immersive, controlled environments. Examples of research designs conducted using JERS will be presented (e.g., the effect of 3D vs. 2D lineups on eyewitness identification accuracy).

Children perform worse than adults at correctly rejecting target absent lineups, but performance results between age groups on target present lineups are mixed. In this collaborative, NSF-funded research (N = 1,055), children witnessed a realistic mock crime in virtual reality before viewing a lineup for each of two culprits, one being target present and one target absent. Culprits were either visible for six or 34 seconds. Overall identification performance in this large-sample study was low regardless of viewing duration. In line with most literature, adults (18-35 years) correctly rejected target absent lineups more than children. Surprisingly, younger children (5-8 years) and older children (9-13 years) performed similarly on target absent lineups. However, no differences were found between children of either age group or adults on target present lineups. Children’s lineup performance warrants further investigation so that the reliability of their identifications can be accurately weighed in court.

In collaboration with local police, we examine whether lab-based eyewitness research is valid in the real world. Researchers often seek to reduce mistaken identifications, yet eyewitness studies are often conducted in lab environments. This project assesses whether making identifications in a lab compared to the field—or believing an identification is part of a study—changes eyewitness outcomes. Participants witness a theft and make an identification either in a university building or police department and are, or are not, informed they are partaking in a study. In line with this procedure, this study seeks to 1) develop a novel field simulation experimental paradigm to enhance ecological validity of eyewitness research and 2) examine the effects of two important but commonly conflated factors—participants’ knowledge of a crime’s realness and the environment of the lineup task—on eyewitness performance. With data collection ongoing, results prompt re-evaluation of researchers’ empirical approaches, advancing decision-making, investigations, and justice.

Eyewitness memory researchers who collect written or verbal reports about events develop coding schemes to quantify those reports. These coding schemes detail the instructions and categories used to score memory reports, though admittedly the level of detail in descriptions of coding schemes varies, limiting reproducibility of the methods and robustness of the findings. In this preregistered systematic review, we examined the transparency and reproducibility of coding schemes in published eyewitness recall studies. We searched for eligible peer-reviewed studies employing a mock-witness paradigm with a free recall procedure across three online databases. Articles were screened for eligibility at the title/abstract and full text stage by two independent coders. This presentation will provide (1) a summary of findings regarding the variability of coding schemes, researchers’ justification of purpose of a given scheme, and detail of reporting, and (2) recommendations for improving reporting of eyewitness coding schemes to ensure appropriate transparency and reproducibility.