Final answer:
False. Eyewitness identification in cases of sexual abuse can be unreliable, even when a child can identify the person and relate an account of the event.
Step-by-step explanation:
T/F In cases of sexual abuse, if a child can identify the person and also relate an account of the event itself, as an eyewitness, their identification is rarely invalid?
The answer to this question is False. Eyewitness identification in cases of sexual abuse can be unreliable, even when a child can identify the person and relate an account of the event. Psychological research has shown that memory can be influenced by suggestion, leading to false memories and incorrect identifications.
Studies have demonstrated that children can provide false information about potentially abusive events, even when no abuse actually took place. For example, in a study by Ceci and Brucks (1993, 1995), three-year-old children were asked to use an anatomically correct doll to show where their pediatricians had touched them during an exam. Many children pointed to the genital area on the dolls, even though they had not received any form of genital exam. This highlights the vulnerability of eyewitness testimony, especially in cases of sexual abuse involving young children.
It is important to approach eyewitness identification in cases of sexual abuse with caution and consider other forms of evidence, such as physical evidence or corroborating testimony, to ensure a fair and accurate legal process.