Face Recognition in Forensic Psychology: A Literature Review on Eyewitness Testimony Research

Abstract Eyewitnesses play a crucial role in the criminal justice system, providing crucial information during investigations and potentially assisting in the identification of suspects. This paper reviews some of the main developments in face recognition research applied to the forensic context. Special focus is given to key findings in the field of eyewitness memory, including factors that may not be controlled by the criminal justice system (e.g., presence of weapon, exposure duration, retention interval, etc.) and variables that can be controlled by the criminal justice system (e.g., interviewing and identification procedures). This literature review aims to provide a useful overview of some of the main factors affecting eyewitness memory performance and discuss guidance for the collection and preservation of eyewitness evidence.