The Testimony or the Eyewitness? Factors That Influence Eyewitness Credibility Assessment Conducted by (Future) Fact-Finders and Laypeople.

PurposeMethodsResultsConclusionsThis study examined how the (in)consistency of eyewitness testimony and their relationship with the defendant affect assessments of eyewitness credibility and defendant culpability, along with decision confidence.Judicial apprentices (<italic>N</italic> = 125) and students (<italic>N</italic> = 115) rated the guilt and credibility of testimony after reading a case summary.Eyewitness-defendant relationships influenced credibility judgements but not guilt assessments. Reminiscent details reduced credibility ratings and increased culpability judgements. Future judges exhibited greater confidence than laypeople.The findings emphasize the need for ecologically valid research involving legal professionals to better understand evidence credibility and verdict decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]