The reports of a man seen walking with a child in his arms

[debunker]

Witnesses identification does not change with the passage of time so why would her opinion have changed ?

Mrs. Smith refused to give a second statement after her husband said it might have been Gerry.  So no one knows what she thinks about that.

Martin Smith said in his statement that his wife agreed with him and we have no reason to doubt him.

BEcause hearsay is always valid.

[debunker]

Witnesses identification does not change with the passage of time so why would her opinion have changed ?

Psychological research clearly shows that facial recognition recall changes with time, alternatives, history and expectations.

Martin Smith's recall was not based on facial recognition.

SAme goes for all recognition and recall, including gait, kinetics, posture etc.

[faithlilly]

I believe everyone except perhaps Dianne Webster.

Why do you believe that Ms Webster was prepared to lie?

Sorry I meant everyone in the group were lying except perhaps Dianne Webster.

[sika]

Do you think if Gerry did find his daughter had died because of  some terrible accident, either through sedation or eing left on their own, he would be thinking logically ?

I hope you don't mind me asking and please don't feel obliged to answer but, are you a parent?
Your quote above leads me to think that you are not.

[faithlilly]

Witnesses identification does not change with the passage of time so why would her opinion have changed ?

Psychological research clearly shows that facial recognition recall changes with time, alternatives, history and expectations.

Martin Smith's recall was not based on facial recognition.

SAme goes for all recognition and recall, including gait, kinetics, posture etc.

I'm afraid if witness recognition was as unreliable as you say the police would not rely so heavily on eyewitness testimony.

[debunker]

Witnesses identification does not change with the passage of time so why would her opinion have changed ?

Psychological research clearly shows that facial recognition recall changes with time, alternatives, history and expectations.

Martin Smith's recall was not based on facial recognition.

SAme goes for all recognition and recall, including gait, kinetics, posture etc.

I'm afraid if witness recognition was as unreliable as you say the police would not rely so heavily on eyewitness testimony.

Youneed to read the research and maybe look at Judges rules about what judges have to warn juries about when the prosecution brings forward facia ID evidence.

[sika]

I believe everyone except perhaps Dianne Webster.

Why do you believe that Ms Webster was prepared to lie?

Sorry I meant everyone in the group were lying except perhaps Dianne Webster.

Why do you think that all those people were prepared to conceal the death of a child?

[faithlilly]

Do you think if Gerry did find his daughter had died because of  some terrible accident, either through sedation or eing left on their own, he would be thinking logically ?

I hope you don't mind me asking and please don't feel obliged to answer but, are you a parent?
Your quote above leads me to think that you are not.

I'm not a parent Sika.

[John]

Witnesses identification does not change with the passage of time so why would her opinion have changed ?

Mrs. Smith refused to give a second statement after her husband said it might have been Gerry.  So no one knows what she thinks about that.

She couldn't have been too sure then by the looks of it.

[John]

Witnesses identification does not change with the passage of time so why would her opinion have changed ?

Psychological research clearly shows that facial recognition recall changes with time, alternatives, history and expectations.

...and reading the newspapers and watching tv.

[Eleanor]

So Martin Smith said his wife agreed with him.  Love it.  But I don't think The Police or a Court would.
"No need to question her, Your Honour.  She agrees with me."

[faithlilly]

@ Sika Until we learn the truth about that night I'm afraid we won't know what binds them together in this lie.

@debunker Both Martin Smith and his wife were certain enough of their identification to contact the police. Even in a court of law two individuals identifying the same perpetrator would be compelling evidence.

[debunker]

I'm afraid if witness recognition was as unreliable as you say the police would not rely so heavily on eyewitness testimony.

Cannot find UKjudges rules on line, but Irish ones are similar
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/justice/evidence/identification_evidence.html

SEe also
http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/h_to_k/identification_of_suspects/

[John]

Witnesses identification does not change with the passage of time so why would her opinion have changed ?

Psychological research clearly shows that facial recognition recall changes with time, alternatives, history and expectations.

Martin Smith's recall was not based on facial recognition.

Maybe not but he saw this image on TV and thought...ah it was Gerry McCann!  Classic mistake. 

[faithlilly]

So Martin Smith said his wife agreed with him.  Love it.  But I don't think The Police or a Court would.
"No need to question her, Your Honour.  She agrees with me."

Of course if it had gone to trial a statement would have been sought from Mrs Smith but, as I said, at this juncture we have no reason to doubt Mr Smith's word.