Creencias Erróneas sobre la Memoria de los Testigos en la Formación y Práctica de las Ciencias Sociales y Jurídicas

A study was conducted to assess knowledge of eyewitness psychology among experienced and inexperienced police officers, trainee judges at the Judicial School, and students of Psychology, Law, and Criminology. The findings revealed that the overall accuracy rate was close to random chance, with no significant differences between the groups assessed. The results highlighted the widespread presence of misconceptions about how witness memory functions, as well as a lack of awareness regarding the factors that influence the accuracy of testimonies and the ability of children and older adults to provide reliable statements. The study concludes that many commonly held beliefs about eyewitness memory are inaccurate. An interdisciplinary training approach integrating psychology, law, and police sciences could enhance understanding of memory processes in legal contexts and help reduce errors in the evaluation of witness testimony.