Eyewitness Recall and Testimony

In this chapter, the authors have taken a somewhat unorthodox approach to the topic of eyewitness recall. First, they emphasize the basic distinction between two properties of memory-quantity and accuracy-and examined the factors affecting memory in terms of both properties. Second, they highlight the contribution of metacognitive monitoring and control processes to memory performance and gave these contributions great weight in our presentation. Of course, the metacognitive regulatory processes that guide memory performance in real-life eyewitness situations are certainly more varied and complex than those addressed in this chapter, as are the goals and considerations of the witness in utilizing those processes. Providing a complete or accurate account of an event may not be the only or even primary aim of an eyewitness. Taking this point seriously will require even more attention to the role of strategic regulatory processes as well as to the complexities involved in the evaluation of eyewitness memory performance.