Testing a Potential Alternative to Traditional Identification Procedures

We tested the validity of indirect eyewitness identification decisions using the reaction time-based Concealed Information Test (CIT) for assessing cooperative eyewitnesses' face memory as an alternative to traditional lineup procedures. In a series of five experiments, a total of 401 mock eyewitnesses watched one of 11 different stimulus events that depicted a breach of law.

Eyewitness identifications in the CIT were derived from longer reaction times as compared to well-matched foil faces not encountered before. Across the five experiments, the weighted mean effect size d was 0.14 (95%CI: 0.08 to 0.19). The reaction time-based CIT seems unsuited for testing cooperative eyewitnesses' memory for faces.