Question

When the eyewitness is simply making a mistake—“Look, I was there, this is what I saw, I have no motive to lie”—it’s simply the usual problems with eyewitness identification: lighting, the ability to do cross-racial identifications, the emotional anxiety we have in the midst of a crime.

–“Wrongful Convictions,”
Jon Gould

Which statement best expresses the main idea about eyewitness testimony in this excerpt?

Eyewitness testimony should not be trusted because it is often motivated by self-interest.
Eyewitness testimony should not play a role in determining guilt or innocence.
Eyewitness testimony is usually well intended but frequently inaccurate.
Eyewitness testimony is usually affected by a witness’s inability to see clearly.

Answer 1

The main idea about eyewitness testimony in this excerpt is that it is usually well-intended but frequently inaccurate. The excerpt mentions several factors that contribute to the problems with eyewitness identification, such as lighting, the ability to do cross-racial identifications, and emotional anxiety during a crime. These factors can lead to mistakes and errors in the eyewitness's recollection of events.

It is important to note that the excerpt does not suggest that eyewitnesses intentionally lie or have a motive to lie. Instead, it highlights the common challenges and limitations of eyewitness testimony. Therefore, the statement "Eyewitness testimony is usually well-intended but frequently inaccurate" best expresses the main idea of the excerpt.

By understanding the limitations of eyewitness testimony, we can be cautious about relying solely on it to determine guilt or innocence in legal cases. It is important to consider other types of evidence and corroborating information to ensure a fair and accurate assessment of the situation.