Raver Arman, Lindholm Torun, Alm Charlotte
Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
Sci Rep. 2025 Feb 12;15(1):5265. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-89825-0.
Non-verbal behaviour, such as facial expressions and body language, plays a critical role in assessments of witnesses' credibility that inform legal decisions in cases involving crime. While prior research has primarily focused on associations between non-verbal cues and deception, this study investigates the relation between non-verbal cues and recall memory accuracy in honestly reported mock eyewitness testimonies. Using a sample of 36 video-recorded eyewitness testimonies about a violent crime (n = 680 statements), we examined whether non-verbal cues were associated with statement accuracy (correct vs. incorrect), witness credibility as rated by independent observers, and witnesses' self-reported confidence. Additionally, we explored whether these associations differed for native vs. non-native speaking witnesses. Results revealed no associations between non-verbal cues and statement accuracy or perceived credibility. Furthermore, while non-native speakers were perceived as less credible, these perceptions were not related to non-verbal cues. Our findings contradict common beliefs by showing that non-verbal behaviour is not reliably related to accuracy or perceived credibility in eyewitness testimonies, highlighting the need for caution in their use in high-stakes legal contexts.
非言语行为，如面部表情和肢体语言，在对证人可信度的评估中起着关键作用，而这些评估会为涉及犯罪案件的法律裁决提供依据。虽然先前的研究主要关注非言语线索与欺骗之间的关联，但本研究调查了在如实陈述的模拟目击证人证词中，非言语线索与回忆记忆准确性之间的关系。我们采用了36份关于一起暴力犯罪的视频记录目击证人证词样本（共680份陈述），研究非言语线索是否与陈述准确性（正确与错误）、独立观察者评定的证人可信度以及证人自我报告的信心相关。此外，我们还探讨了这些关联在以母语为母语的证人和非母语证人之间是否存在差异。结果显示，非言语线索与陈述准确性或感知到的可信度之间没有关联。此外，虽然非母语证人被认为可信度较低，但这些看法与非言语线索无关。我们的研究结果与普遍看法相悖，表明非言语行为与目击证人证词的准确性或感知到的可信度并无可靠关联，这凸显了在高风险法律背景下使用非言语行为时需谨慎的必要性。
