Examining the Persistence of Central and Peripherical Information in Honest Witness

Abstract

Background/Aim: Case Law criterion of persistence of information is strictly and systematically applied in assessing credibility of testimony. Nevertheless, forensic psychological assessment of the credibility of testimony has proposed that this persistence should be interpreted in terms of the ‘central/peripheral hypothesis’ in the persistence of information, i.e., persistence to assess a testimony as credible is required for the central elements of the event (central information), but not for the peripheral information. An experimental study was designed in order to test this hypothesis. Method: A total of 102 adult witnesses (60.8% female) aged 20–75 years (M = 34.55, SD = 14.35) were interviewed (shortened cognitive interview) two times (sequence of statements) about a relevant directly (lived event) self-experienced event (autobiographical memory). The interviews were submitted to a content analysis with a methodical categorical system on the persistence in central and peripheral information. Results: The results showed that the memory of honest witnesses was mostly (±85%) made up of peripheral information; that the central information is fully consistent inter-statements; the prevalence of errors of commission (contradictions) and omission (appearance and disappearance of information) in peripheral information in honest memories is more than common (.50 < po