ABSTRACT
There are three categories of eyewitness statements: (1) a generally correct memory (which may contain some errors), (2) a deceptive attempt, or (3) a historically wrong but subjectively true narrative, that is, an erroneous account provided without intention to mislead. The latter type of memory is called a mistaken memory and can be created, for example, through suggestive interviewing techniques in therapeutic settings (Lindsay & Read, 1995; Loftus, 1993; Porter, Birt, Yuille, & Herve, 2001; Porter & Campbell, 2002). Most deception detection techniques are based on the assumption that the intention to deceive creates cognitive and emotional consequences that are detectable. Because no deceptive intent underlies mistaken memories, they are not the focus of the techniques introduced in this chapter. Thus, this chapter addresses the distinction between true and deceptive accounts.
