A field study on cultural differences in South African eyewitness reports

Abstract

Purpose: Eyewitness testimony is crucial for police investigations. One important factor affecting testimony is culture, which is known to play a role in memory and reporting. Yet there are few studies on cultural differences in eyewitness testimony, especially in ecologically valid settings. Therefore, this study aims to examine cultural differences in real eyewitness interviews in the multicultural context of South Africa. Design/methodology/approach: This study qualitatively analysed 103 video-recorded eyewitness interviews conducted by the South African police. Witnesses first described the crime and then gave a description of the perpetrator for facial composite construction. Eyewitnesses and police officers were drawn from three cultural groups, and interviewees often belonged to a different cultural group than their interviewer. This study used thematic analysis to explore cultural differences in eyewitness reports. Findings: This study identified six main cultural differences, centering on: (1) details and specificity of the reports, (2) confidence in one’s memory, (3) (sub)culturally specific terms and euphemisms, (4) assertiveness during the interview, (5) justifying one’s victimhood and (6) description of perpetrators. The findings are explained in light of cultural dimensions such as collectivism and power distance, communication styles and trust in the police. Recommendations for future research are provided. Originality/value: Both research using field data and research in African contexts is scarce. This study represents both, involving an in-depth analysis of a large sample of real police interviews from the multicultural context of South Africa. As such, it provides unique qualitative insights into cultural differences in actual eyewitness testimony.