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On Demand

Best Practices for Eyewitness Evidence


Credit Available - See Credits tab below.

Categories:
Litigation
Faculty:
Curt Carlson, Ph.D.
Program Credits:
1-1.2
Credit Type:
General
Program Type:
On Demand


Description

Eyewitness testimony is powerful—but not always reliable. Decades of research have shown that memory can be fallible, and mistaken identifications remain a leading cause of wrongful convictions. In this CLE, expert witness testimony expert Dr. Curt Carlson draws on empirical research and real-world cases to explain how and why eyewitnesses can get it wrong—and what legal professionals can do about it. Participants will explore the science of perception, memory, and bias, learn about common pitfalls in police lineups, and review best practices that align with current psychological evidence. This session will help attorneys better evaluate the reliability of eyewitness testimony and improve how such evidence is addressed in investigations and at trial.

 

Learning Objectives:

  1. Identify key psychological variables that affect the accuracy of eyewitness identification.
  2. Analyze common procedural flaws in police lineups and interviews that contribute to false identifications.
  3. Evaluate the probative value of eyewitness testimony using scientifically grounded criteria.
  4. Apply best practices in case strategy when dealing with eyewitness evidence, whether prosecuting, defending, or presiding.
  5. Advocate for or challenge the admissibility and weight of eyewitness evidence through effective use of expert testimony.

Credits


Alabama

AL General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 12/31/2025
Status: Approved


Alaska

AK General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 10/14/2027
Status: Approved

CLE programs which take place outside of Alaska or are webcast from outside of Alaska are not required to be accredited by the Alaska Bar Association.  Alaska Bar members may claim credit for attendance at CLE programs offered in or from other jurisdictions if the program has been accredited by another MCLE jurisdiction.  


Arizona

AZ General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 10/14/2027
Status: Approved

The State Bar of Arizona does not approve or accredit CLE activities for the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education requirement.  This activity may qualify for up to 1 hour(s) toward your annual CLE requirement for the State Bar of Arizona, including 0 hour(s) of professional responsibility.


Arkansas

AR General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 06/30/2026
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 3333


California

CA General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 10/14/2027
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 13825


Colorado

CO General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 12/31/2027
Status: Approved
Provider Number: N/A


Connecticut

CT General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 10/14/2027
Status: Approved


Delaware

DE General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 10/14/2026
Status: Approved


Florida

FL General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 04/30/2027
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 236059


Georgia

GA Trial Skills

Credit Type: Trial Skills
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 12/31/2025
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 5105


Hawaii

HI General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 10/14/2027
Status: Pending, Submitted for Accreditation


Idaho

ID General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration:
Status: Pending, Submitted for Accreditation


Illinois

IL General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 10/13/2027
Status: Approved
Provider Number: ATT0001


Indiana

IN General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 10/14/2026
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 111648


Iowa

IA General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 10/14/2026
Status: Approved


Kansas

KS General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 10/13/2026
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 5809


Kentucky

KY General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 06/30/2026
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 6888


Louisiana

LA General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 10/13/2026
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 7486


Maine

ME General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration:
Status: Pending, Submitted for Accreditation
Provider Number: 1873


Maryland

MD General

Maryland attorneys do not have MCLE requirements.


Massachusetts

MA General

Massachusetts attorneys do not have MCLE requirements.


Michigan

MI General

Michigan attorneys do not have MCLE requirements.


Minnesota

MN General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 10/14/2027
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 10280


Mississippi

MS General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration:
Status: Pending, Submitted for Accreditation


Missouri

MO General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.2
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 10/14/2027
Status: Approved
Provider Number: N/A


Montana

MT General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 10/14/2028
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 4760


Nebraska

NE General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 10/14/2027
Status: Approved


Nevada

NV General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 12/31/2028
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 50550


New Hampshire

NH General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 10/14/2027
Status: Approved

NHMCLE does not approve or accredit CLE activities for the NH Minimum CLE requirement. The provider believes this course meets the requirements of NH Supreme Court Rule 53 and may quality for 60 minutes toward the annual NHMCLE requirement. New Hampshire attendees must self-determine whether a program is eligible for credit, and self-report their attendance.


New Jersey

NJ General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.2
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 09/24/2026
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 703


New Mexico

NM General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 10/14/2030
Status: Approved


New York

NY General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 10/14/2027
Status: Approved


North Carolina

NC General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Expiration: On Demand
Expires: 06/30/2026
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 6460


North Dakota

ND General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration:
Status: Approved


Ohio

OH General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 12/31/2025
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 14474


Oklahoma

OK General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 10/14/2026
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 2839


Oregon

OR General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 10/14/2027
Status: Approved


Pennsylvania

PA General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 10/14/2026
Status: Approved
Provider Number: N/A


Rhode Island

RI General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Expires: 06/30/2026
Status: Approved
Provider Number: SPON00593


South Carolina

SC General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 12/31/2025
Status: Approved
Provider Number: N/A


South Dakota

SD General

South Dakota attorneys do not have MCLE requirements.


Tennessee

TN General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 10/14/2026
Status: Approved


Texas

TX General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 09/30/2026
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 12507


Utah

UT General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 12/31/2025
Status: Approved


Vermont

VT General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration:
Status: Approved


Virginia

VA General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration:
Status: Submitted, Pending Approval


Washington

WA Law & Legal Procedure

Credit Type: Law & Legal Procedure
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 10/13/2030
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 9124293


West Virginia

WV General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.2
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration:
Status: Approved


Wisconsin

WI General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration:
Status: Approved


Wyoming

WY General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration:
Status: Approved



Materials

Faculty

Curt Carlson, Ph.D.'s Profile

Curt Carlson, Ph.D. Related Seminars and Products

Professor & Director of CriMe Lab


Curt Carlson, Ph.D., is a distinguished cognitive psychologist whose academic journey informs his work at the intersection of psychology and the legal system. Since joining East Texas?A&M, he has led research on eyewitness memory and lineup procedures, secured a $344K National Institute of Justice grant, and holds fellowships in the American Psychology–Law Society and Psychonomic Society. His role as Coordinator of both the General Psychology M.S. and Experimental Psychology Ph.D. programs further emphasizes his educational leadership in legal psychology. Dr. Carlson’s work bridges science and law, helping improve the reliability of evidence used in the courtroom.