Final answer:
Eyewitness testimony can be unreliable and prone to errors. Leading questions and external factors can influence eyewitnesses, leading to the creation of false memories. Recommendations include using neutral language during questioning and conducting blind photo lineups.
Step-by-step explanation:
The problem with eyewitness testimony from the police point of view is that it can be unreliable and prone to errors. Studies have shown that eyewitnesses can be highly influenced by leading questions and other external factors, leading to the creation of false memories. This can result in wrongful convictions and the imprisonment of innocent individuals.
For example, Loftus conducted studies on the suggestibility of eyewitness testimony and found that using neutral and less leading language during questioning can improve the accuracy of eyewitness recall. It is also recommended to conduct photo lineups in a blind manner to minimize the possibility of giving leading cues. Judges can suppress eyewitness testimony if they deem it unreliable.