Final answer:
Eyewitness testimony should not be heavily relied upon in court, as there are various factors that can affect its accuracy. Research has shown that suggestive questioning, bias, and misleading language can influence the reliability of eyewitness testimony.
Step-by-step explanation:
Eyewitness testimony can be a valuable form of evidence in court, but it should not be relied upon too heavily. Research has shown that eyewitness identification is not always accurate and can lead to wrongful convictions. Factors such as the suggestion effect, bias, and the use of misleading language can all influence the reliability of eyewitness testimony.
For example, Elizabeth Loftus conducted studies that demonstrated how the wording of a question can affect a witness's memory. In one experiment, participants estimated the speed of cars in a video using different verbs, and their estimates varied depending on the verb used. This demonstrates how easily memory can be influenced by suggestion.
To mitigate the risks associated with unreliable eyewitness testimony, steps have been taken to improve police lineups and questioning practices. For instance, blind photo lineups, where the person administering the lineup doesn't know which photo belongs to the suspect, can minimize the possibility of leading cues. Judges also have the authority to suppress eyewitness testimony if they deem it unreliable.