Wednesday 3/5/14 SWBAT: Interpret the difference between physical evidence and an eyewitness account and analyze the credibility of each. Eyewitness: a person who see’s an event first hand, primary source. IA: Make a list of the qualities you think are needed to be a good eyewitness.

Definitions Observation: what we perceive using our 5 senses (hear, touch, taste, smell, see) Perception: interpreting information received from the senses

Video Experiment Power of Observation

Problem A man is on trial for robbing a convenience store, and several witnesses report seeing him at the scene. During the trial, the defense sets up an experiment to discredit the eye-witness testimony. See how you do on this experiment.

Experimental Video While you are watching this movie, count the number of times the team in white passes the ball to each other. Count silently to yourself and make no comments during the movie.

Movie Debriefing

How many of you saw something strange during the movie?

Background Video was made as part of an experiment designed to test people’s “inattentional blindness” In the original study at Harvard, only 42% of the people noticed the gorilla walking through the scene This activity illustrates the unreliability of eye-witness testimony

Our Brain: Filters out information Fills in gaps in information Applies previous knowledge to new situations

What assumptions can you make about this scene? How might those assumptions be wrong?

Witnesses vs. Physical Evidence Most witnesses do not intentionally lie on the witness stand Human observation is limited by memory, suggestion, and interpretation Memories can be confused or altered, but physical evidence stays the same

Eyewitness Accounts Provides direct evidence to crime scenes Perceptions can be faulty Observations affected by: emotional state level of interest stress concentration amount/kind of distraction prejudice personal beliefs motives

How To Be a Good Observer 1. Make a conscious effort to examine environment systematically. 2. Observe everything. Pay attention to details. Turn off filters. 3. Gather information first before starting to analyze or interpret it. 4. Write down and photograph as much as possible. Document! Document! Document!

I-Witness

Problem You were the principle crime scene investigator on a case two years ago. It is now time for you to testify in court about your findings. The defense attorney challenges the accuracy of your testimony and implies that you observational skills are not so great.

If he can show the jury you are not good at spotting details, he might have a chance of getting his client off. It is often the case in real life situations that the credibility of expert witness testimony is challenged. The thoroughness with which they do their jobs is critical.

Can you prove your observational skills are excellent?

Memory Quiz In your notebook, number your paper from You will have 10 seconds to memorize the following photograph.

You have 10 seconds to memorize the picture 

1. What color coffee mug was in the picture? Blue Red Yellow White

2. When was the deadline? Yesterday Tomorrow Today Oct. 19

3. What time was on the clock on the wall? 10:40 7:20 5:38 11:05

4. How many sticky notes were on the whiteboard?

5. Which of the following was NOT in the picture? Stapler Printer Trash can Pen

6. What was the name on the plaque on the desk? Steve Brian David Jeff

7. What color was the victim’s shirt? White Blue Red Green

8. How many plants were in the picture?

9. Which of the following was on the floor? Coffee mug Plant Cardboard box Backpack

10. Where was the book in the picture? On the box On the desk On the floor Under the body

Answers 1. Yellow 2. Today 3. 11: Stapler 6. Brian 7. Blue Backpack 10. On the box

Summary: In your notebook, write a summary of what you learned today about eyewitness accounts vs. physical evidence in court. (What was the point of today’s exercise?) Share your summary with your partner.

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