The acute effect of alcohol on memory: When is the best time to interview alcohol intoxicated eyewitnesses?

• Introduction. Many violent crimes involve alcohol intoxicated eyewitnesses, but there are only a few studies on how alcohol affects eyewitness memory. Aim. Do eyewitnesses recall more (and more accurate) details if they are interviewed when being intoxicated immediately after a crime or at a delayed recall in a sober state when more time has passed? Methods. The participants (N = 100) were randomly assigned to a 2 (Beverage: control, 0.0 g/kg vs. alcohol, 0.7 g/kg) x 2 (Recall trial: immediate and delayed vs. delayed only) mixed design. After a 15 minutes consumption time, a staged kidnapping on film was shown. Half of the participants (N = 48) were interviewed immediately and all (N = 99) had a one week delayed recall. Results. Intoxicated eyewitnesses were less accurate than sober witnesses. Alcohol did not affect the amount of reported information. Eyewitnesses, regardless of intoxication level, remembered more and were more accurate at the immediate recall, than eyewitnesses who did only have a delayed recall. Conclusions. This study shows the importance of conducting an immediate interview, even when the witnesses are intoxicated with a low to moderate blood alcohol concentration.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi -- Psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology -- Psychology (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi -- Tillämpad psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology -- Applied Psychology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Alcohol

eyewitnesses

memory

recall

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

kon (subject category)