Factors That Can Interact with Familiarity
This chapter examines the role of estimator variables within eyewitness memory. Estimator variables are factors that occur during the time of the crime that may affect eyewitness identification accuracy. Various estimator variables are discussed, in conjunction with familiarity, to highlight how eyewitness recall and identification may be impacted. The chapter first discusses witness variables such as the role of the eyewitness (i.e., whether the witness is a bystander or a victim), the role of arousal during the time of the crime, the age of the witness, the cross-race effect, and personality variables that may impact identification accuracy. The chapter then discusses the challenges the criminal justice system faces when determining the impact of estimator variables on eyewitness identification accuracy and the need to consider these variables in conjunction with familiarity.