A groundbreaking study led by researchers at the University of Winchester has explored how alcohol affects memory, particularly witnesses’ ability to recall crucial details. Co-authored by Dr Sarah Bayless, senior lecturer in psychology, the research highlights the complex link between alcohol and memory. Published in the journal Memory, the study examined how alcohol influences the ability to remember facial features.

The experiment involved 38 participants, who consumed either alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks before watching videos of unfamiliar female faces. The researchers asked them to recall and describe these faces the following day. The findings revealed that, while intoxicated participants struggled with internal facial features like eye colour, they were still able to recall external details such as hair colour and style.

Alcohol and Memory: Narrowed Focus, Not Total Loss

Dr Bayless noted, “The study underscores the importance of gathering multiple witness accounts and using additional evidence, such as CCTV footage, when investigating crimes. Given that intoxicated individuals are frequently present at crime scenes – whether as victims, witnesses, or perpetrators – understanding the effects of alcohol on memory is critical.”

The research introduced the concept of ‘alcohol myopia,’ where intoxication limits focus to a narrower range of details. Lead author Dr Alistair Harvey, a visiting researcher at Portsmouth’s Department of Psychology, commented on its implications for law enforcement. He stated, “Given that many crimes occur in bars and nightclubs where witnesses may have been drinking, these findings have important implications. Getting accurate perpetrator descriptions from witnesses is crucial for locating and identifying suspects – especially during line-ups.”

Dr Bayless also highlighted how important it is for police officers to understand the memory limitations of intoxicated witnesses. She added, “People who are intoxicated may remember fewer details of events, but those they do remember are often still quite accurate. This is important for the police to take into account when interviewing witnesses.”

This study builds on prior research from the University of Winchester’s unique ‘Bar Lab’, which contributes to innovative approaches in forensic psychology. Insights from ongoing research here are already shaping teaching practices for BSc forensic investigative psychology and MSc forensic psychology programmes.

Source: dbrecoveryresources