Why are eyewitness testimonies often considered unreliable?

Eyewitness testimonies are often regarded as unreliable primarily because human memory is inherently subjective and can be significantly influenced by various external factors. Memory is not a perfect recording of events; instead, it is a reconstructive process. This means that when individuals recall a memory, they do not retrieve an exact replica of the event but rather reconstruct it based on their perceptions, emotions, and past experiences.

Several factors can distort memory recall, including stress levels during the event, the presence of leading questions after the event, suggestions from other individuals, and even the passage of time. For instance, high-stress situations can heighten emotions, impacting how details are remembered. Additionally, the way questions are framed after the event can lead witnesses to alter their recollections, either consciously or subconsciously.

Thus, the nature of human memory and its susceptibility to these influences is a significant reason why eyewitness accounts may lack reliability in judicial settings.