Assignment: System Variables In The Ronald Cotton Case
This week, you will continue your exploration of estimator variables that might influence the reliability of eyewitness testimony. There are also system variables that can influence the reliability of eyewitness testimony. System variables include all eyewitness procedures and processes under the control of the criminal justice system, including jury instructions and police lineups. Police have significant power to engage in practices that improve accuracy.
To prepare for this Assignment:
Review Chapter 6 in your course text, Forensic and Legal Psychology. Focus on examples of system variables.
Consider how they might influence reliability of eyewitness identification.
Review the Wells and Olson article, "Eyewitness Testimony." Focus on current findings in the literature regarding system variables and their influence on eyewitness testimony. Need Assignment Help?
Review the section on Ronald Cotton, pages 140-142 in Chapter 7 in your course text, Forensic and Legal Psychology. Also, review the Ronald Cotton case study summary below. Based on these readings, identify system variables that may have had an impact on the case.
Find and read a peer-reviewed article in the Walden Library about one of the system variables you have decided to analyze. Consider the significance of the system variable you selected and its relevance to the case.
Case Study: Eyewitness Identification
Jennifer Thompson, a white female college student living in southeastern United States, was sexually assaulted at knifepoint in her home in the middle of the night. During the attack, the lights remained off.
Despite the darkness, Jennifer claimed to have studied the attacker's face during the assault. Consequently, she felt she was able to identify her assailant to authorities.
Shortly after the attack, Jennifer contacted police. Within hours, she helped law enforcement officials create a composite sketch of her attacker. Within a week-after examining mug shots-she identified Ronald Cotton, an African-American male, as the rapist. About 2 weeks later, the police arrested Mr. Cotton. Two weeks later, at the police station, she identified Ronald Cotton in a live simultaneous lineup. She told detectives she was 100% certain he was the assailant. During the trial, she clearly demonstrated her confidence that it was Ronald Cotton, the defendant, who had sexually assaulted her.
The Assignment (3 pages minimum):
Provide an analysis of the Ronald Cotton case, and include the following:
Describe two system variables in the Ronald Cotton case.
Explain the significance of each system variable as it relates to the case.
Provide two recommendations to improve actions taken by the police related to eyewitness identification in the Ronald Cotton case.
Explain the relevance of the peer-reviewed article you selected for your analysis of the Ronald Cotton case.
Support your Application Assignment with specific references to all resources used in its preparation. You are asked to provide a reference list for all resources, including those in the Learning Resources for this course.
To prepare for this Discussion:
Review Chapter 12 in your course text, Forensic and Legal Psychology, and focus on the Trayvon Martin case on pages 295-297.
Review the article by Clark et al. (2007), "Five Factor Model Personality Traits, Jury Selection, and Case Outcomes in Criminal and Civil Cases." Consider criteria typically used in selecting juries.
Take the perspective of a jury consultant for the Trayvon Martin case.
Select one of the three roles (judge, defense attorney, or prosecuting attorney), and consider the characteristics that you might look for in potential jurors.
With these thoughts in mind:
Post the person whose interests you represent as jury consultant (prosecution, defendant, or judge). Then, describe two demographic and/or personality factors that you consider important during jury selection. Finally, explain why those are factors that might be grounds for eliminating a potential juror from the jury.
Support your post(s) with evidence from at least one Learning Resource. Be sure to identify what source(s) you used, both in the body of your post(s) and with a reference at the end of your post(s).
Read a selection of your colleagues' postings.
Respond in one or more of the following ways:
Ask a probing question and provide insight into how you would answer your question, and why.
Ask a probing question and provide the foundation, or rationale, for the question.
Expand on your colleague's posting by offering a new perspective or insight.
Agree with a colleague and offer additional (new) supporting information for consideration.
Disagree with a colleague by respectfully discussing and supporting a different perspective.
Support your post(s) with evidence from at least one Learning Resource. Be sure to identify what source(s) you used, both in the body of your post(s) and with a reference at the end of your post(s).