Cross-Cultural Research in Eyewitness Identification: Exploring Criterion Differences Between South Korean and UK Eyewitnesses in Lineups

Abstract

The present study explored cultural differences in eyewitness identification across South Korea and the UK using a 2 (Country: South Korea vs. the UK) × 2 (target race: Asian & White) × 2 (target presence: present & absent) × 2 (lineup mode: simultaneous & sequential) mixed design. The results showed no significant differences in decision criteria or identification accuracy between the two countries. The moderating effects of lineup mode or target race on accuracy were similar across both countries, but not on criteria. The lineup mode affected eyewitness accuracy in both countries, with simultaneous lineups leading to higher accuracy. However, decision criteria were influenced by lineup mode and target race in the UK, but not in South Korea. This implies that decision criteria may be more culturally sensitive than identification accuracy and raises concerns about generalizing findings from the eyewitness literature predominantly based on western samples to East Asian contexts.