Stereotypes in Crime Investigation

[Wojtek Sokolowski]

Jordan:
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-lbo-talk at lists.panix.com 
> [mailto:owner-lbo-talk at lists.panix.com] On Behalf Of Jordan Hayes
> Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2002 10:05 AM
> To: lbo-talk at lists.panix.com
> Subject: Re: Stereotypes in Crime Investigation
> 
> 
> > Stereotypes can affect memory when identifying criminal suspects
> 
> Every cop already knows this; "witnesses" are the weak link 
> in any investigation.  ANYTHING else is preferred to having 
> just a witness.

Ditto for any other evidence that depends on memory and recollection
(e.g. surveys).  However, in TeeVee coutroum dramas, a deus ex machina
witness is the highest form of evidence that can be produced (perhaps
because of the dramatic effect of introducing and questioning a witness)
- hence the popular perception which serves as a straw man of
sociological investigations.

Wojtek