P110. The Brain on the Witness Stand: Investigating Implicit Memory Recall in Crime Witnesses

• In Event: Poster Session & Ice Cream Social

Abstract

Eyewitness testimony remains a cornerstone to collect key information during criminal investigations, yet its reliability is frequently affected by memory distortions, stress, trauma, and the natural decay of explicit recall over time. Traditional forensic approaches rely on explicit memory retrieval, which can be influenced by external interventions such as suggestive questioning, co-witness interactions and media exposure, often leading to false memories and wrongful convictions. This study proposes a novel neurocriminological framework for assessing implicit memory recall in crime witnesses using objective neurophysiological markers.

By employing electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocardiography (ECG), this research investigates the P300 event-related potential and heart rate variability (HRV) as indicators of implicit recognition. The P300 component, an event-related potential elicited approximately 300 milliseconds post-stimulus, reflects recognition and attention allocation, making it a reliable measure of memory processing backed by previous research. Similarly, HRV, which reflects autonomic nervous system engagement, provides insights into the emotional and physiological responses associated with memory retrieval. Using an oddball paradigm, crime witnesses (N=45–51) will be exposed to crime scene stimuli of varying severity, followed by tasks designed to elicit P300 responses and HRV fluctuations. By tracking witness testimony accuracy and neurophysiological responses over time, we examine whether implicit memory indicators, like the P300 response, remain stable as explicit recall declines.

Ultimately, this study aims to determine whether these involuntary neurophysiological responses can serve as reliable indicators of memory accuracy, independent of explicit recall. By comparing implicit recognition markers with traditional testimony-based methods, this research introduces an evidence-based approach to enhance the forensic evaluation of witness credibility. Findings from this study could significantly refine forensic interview techniques, minimize the limitations associated with conscious recall, and promote fairer legal outcomes by integrating neuroscientific methodologies into criminal investigations.

Authors

• Berkem Dikengil, University of Nicosia Medical School

• Nicoletta Nicolaou, Main Supervisor

• Achilleas Pavlou, University of Nicosia Medical School