An Investigation of the Weapon Focus Effect and the Confidence-Accuracy Relationship for Eyewitness Identification

Eyewitness memory can be negatively influenced by the presence of a weapon during a crime. We investigated the potential impact of weapon presence on the confidence-accuracy relationship. Additionally, we tested a concealed weapon condition, as it is common for criminals to verbally threaten a victim with a weapon, despite not showing one during a crime. In support of the weapon focus effect (WFE), correct identifications were lower, and false identifications were higher, for participants who saw the weapon. The concealed weapon did not create a WFE, even though the perpetrator attempted to draw attention to the gun in his pocket, and participants reported that he had a gun. Calibration analyses revealed that weapon presence, whether visible or concealed, did not negatively impact the confidence-accuracy relationship. In fact, participants were best calibrated when the weapon was clearly visible. We discuss implications of these findings for police and the criminal justice system.