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You are dispatched to gather eye witness statements at the scene of a robbery. Each witness provides slightly different descriptions pf the getaway car. Which is most likely to be the correct one?

a) red, Ford, 1990s model year, two door
a)orange, Ford, 2000s model, two door
c)red, Ford, 1990s model, four door
d)blue, Chevrolet, 1990s model, two door

User Bennie J
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Final answer:

When eyewitnesses provide slightly different descriptions of a getaway car, it is important to assess the consistency and reliability of their information. Without additional evidence, it is difficult to determine which description is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

When collecting eyewitness statements at the scene of a robbery, it is common for witnesses to provide slightly different descriptions of the getaway car. This can be due to various factors such as differences in perspective, lighting conditions, or levels of attention and memory. In such cases, it is important to assess the consistency and reliability of the information provided by the witnesses.

In the given options, it is difficult to determine which description is most likely to be correct without additional information or evidence. Eyewitness testimonies alone may not be conclusive, as studies have shown that memory can be influenced by external factors and the power of suggestion. Therefore, it would be necessary to gather further evidence such as surveillance footage, forensic analysis, or additional witness testimonies to establish a more accurate description of the getaway car.

When analyzing eyewitness accounts of a getaway car at a robbery scene, one should consider the possibility of the misinformation effect impacting witness memories. In this scenario, various witnesses provide slightly differing descriptions of the car. Considering the provided information about how the focus on a white van in a different case led to ignoring other important tips, and resulting in the actual suspects being caught in a blue sedan, it's crucial to take eyewitness statements with caution. Furthermore, the case study of Loftus and Palmer illustrates how the wording of questions can alter memories, emphasizing the unreliability of eyewitness testimonies. Given this context, without additional evidence, no single witness statement about the getaway car can be assumed to be the most accurate.

User Dogger
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