Face Recollection 2

Eyewitness misidentification of criminals is a very prevalent problem that needs to be solved, as it is the leading cause of wrongful convictions and imprisonments in cases of DNA exoneration (Innocence Project, “Fact Sheet, ” February 6, 2009). Studies have found several trends in face recognition relating to eyewitness identification, including own-gender, own-age, and own-race biases. Several training methods have been developed in attempts to increase participants’ accuracy in face recollection (e.g. Hills & Lewis, 2006; Malpass, Lavigueur, & Weldon, 1973). Though some of these studies have experienced positive immediate results, long-term training effects have yet to be achieved. The purpose of this project was to create a novel computer program that would train participants to recollect faces more accurately and consistently. 168 participants, including teacher volunteers and high school students, watched several original videos with randomly generated faces superimposed over the actors ’ faces. The participants were then asked to reconstruct two of the faces from four multiple choice feature questions. The experimental group was then subjected to a training program, and using the method “top-down, shape-width, ” participants were shown similarities and differences in eyes, noses, mouths, and chins. After the trainin