Stereotypes, Prejudices, and Witness Credibility

Summary:

Research and the pursuit of truth are essential for the proper functioning of trials and for maintaining public trust in the justice system. However, during trials, stereotypes and prejudices can influence the assessment of testimonial evidence. For instance, the way witnesses testify may (incorrectly) suggest to judges that some witnesses are truthful while others are not.

This presentation will explore the impact of stereotypes and prejudices, particularly regarding nonverbal behavior, on the credibility of both adult and child witnesses, in Quebec and beyond. The scope of observations drawn from court judgments will be discussed, as well as strategies to mitigate the effects of stereotypes and prejudices.

Assistant Professor at the School of Criminology at the Université de Montréal. Previously, he held postdoctoral research positions in the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology at McGill University, as well as at the International Centre for Comparative Criminology and the Centre for Research in Public Law at the Université de Montréal. His research primarily focuses on issues related to witness credibility, lie detection, and nonverbal behavior.