silminnäkijälausuntoja

Silminnäkijälausuntoja, or eyewitness testimony, refers to an account given by people of an event they have witnessed. This can include people who saw a crime, accident, or any other significant occurrence. In legal contexts, eyewitness testimony is a crucial form of evidence, often used in criminal trials to identify suspects or establish the facts of a case.

The reliability of eyewitness testimony can vary significantly. Factors such as the witness's memory, perception, stress levels during the event, and the time elapsed since the event can all influence the accuracy of their account. Leading questions during police interviews or courtroom examinations can also inadvertently shape or alter a witness's memory. Research in psychology has extensively studied the fallibility of human memory and perception, highlighting instances where eyewitnesses have mistakenly identified innocent individuals.

Despite potential inaccuracies, eyewitness testimony remains a powerful tool. To mitigate potential errors, legal systems often employ procedures like blind or double-blind identification lineups, where the person conducting the lineup does not know who the suspect is. Corroborating evidence, such as physical evidence or other witness accounts, is also important for validating eyewitness testimony. The weight given to an eyewitness statement by a judge or jury depends on its perceived credibility and consistency with other evidence presented.