Even the most confident witness can be wrong — and the stakes couldn’t be higher when a mistaken identification leads to a wrongful conviction. This webinar unpacks the science behind memory and exposes how even standard identification procedures can unintentionally bias outcomes in the courtroom.
In this presentation, forensic psychologist and returning guest speaker Dr. Trent Terrell draws on decades of empirical research to explain why eyewitness testimony is far less reliable than many assume — and how lawyers can effectively challenge it in trial. Using a recent murder case as a running example, our speaker will break down how memory truly works, from encoding to retrieval, and why it often fails under stress or suggestion. Attendees will gain practical tools for turning scientific insight into courtroom strategy.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to explain the complexities of memory to juries in clear, persuasive terms
- Key estimator variables (like stress, duration, and cross-racial identification) that affect eyewitness reliability
- Critical system variables (such as lineup structure and administration) within law enforcement control
- How to evaluate real photospreads and case examples to expose bias or procedural flaws
CLE Webinar Details & Speaker
The presentation will begin promptly at
1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT on Monday, November 10, 2025.
The recording of this broadcast will also be available to Justia Connect members shortly after the live event.
Since 2010, Dr. Trent Terrell has consulted and testified in criminal cases involving memory. Today he is a nationwide expert focusing on eyewitness identification cases, cases involving delayed outcries of sexual assault, and other cases in which a witness’ recollection of events is in question. As of May 2025, he has consulted in over 300 cases and testified in over 50, including death penalty murder cases and appeals overseen by the Innocence Project of Texas.
Register for This Justia Webinar
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Additional Benefits for Lawyers
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CLE Credit for Lawyers: Would you like to earn CLE credit for this webinar? While everyone is invited to attend, CLE credit is an exclusive membership benefit offered to Justia Connect Pro members, our upgraded membership tier for lawyers. You can upgrade to Justia Connect Pro here to start taking advantage of this benefit.
Please visit the individual webinar page for more information about CLE accreditation. Lawyers may be eligible to earn CLE credit via reciprocity or self-submission processes in jurisdictions in which a particular webinar is not officially accredited.
More Questions?
Through analysis of real cases and authentic lineup materials, this session equips attorneys to move beyond intuition and use science as a powerful ally in the courtroom. By understanding the psychological limits of eyewitness memory, lawyers can more effectively safeguard their clients and uphold the integrity of the justice system. If you have additional questions about this webinar, you can get more details and register on the webinar page.
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