Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Modern Research in Social Sciences
Year: 2024
DOI:
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Modern Methods for Assessing the Credibility of Testimony in Civil Trials: A Psychological and Technological Approach
Prof. Dr. Cornelia Beatrice Gabriela Ene-Dinu
ABSTRACT:
The assessment of witness credibility plays a crucial role in civil trials, influencing the outcome of cases where testimonial evidence is pivotal. This study aims to explore modern methods for evaluating the credibility of witness testimony by integrating psychological insights with advanced technological tools. Traditional approaches to assessing witness reliability, often based on subjective observations of behavior and consistency, face significant limitations, including biases and cultural influences. Therefore, this research investigates contemporary techniques that combine psychological analysis—such as nonverbal behavior evaluation and voice stress analysis—with cutting-edge technologies like polygraph tests, eye-tracking, and electroencephalography (EEG). The research methodology involves a comprehensive literature review of recent studies in forensic psychology and technological innovations used in lie detection and credibility assessment. This includes analyzing the efficacy, reliability, and ethical considerations of these methods. The paper also discusses the potential benefits of multimodal approaches that incorporate both behavioral analysis and physiological data, as well as the application of artificial intelligence algorithms in evaluating complex data sets from testimonies. The importance of this topic lies in its potential to enhance the accuracy and objectivity of credibility assessments in civil litigation. Additionally, the study highlights the ethical and legal challenges associated with the use of advanced technology in courtroom settings, calling for a balanced approach to integrating these methods into judicial practices.
keywords: credibility assessment, witness testimony, civil trials, forensic psychology, lie detection technology