Dr. Richard Wise

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Forensic Psychology at USC’s Institute of Psychiatry, Law and Behavioral Science-2004

Ph.D. The Catholic University of America-2003

J.D. Cleveland-Marshall College of Law-1979

Specialization:

Forensic and Clinical Psychology

Email: richard.wise@nodak.und.edu

Research Interests

My research interests pertain to forensic psychology and legal-psychological issues. Currently, I am researching what judges know about eyewitness testimony, what they believe jurors know about eyewitness testimony, and what legal safeguards they would permit attorneys to use to inform jurors about the effects of eyewitness factors on identification accuracy (e.g., expert testimony). I am conducting this research because DNA testing suggests that large numbers of innocent individuals are being convicted of crimes. Empirical studies indicate that eyewitness error is at least partially responsible for the majority of wrongful convictions. Moreover, of all the participants in the criminal justice system, judges have the most power to reduce eyewitness error.

To assess judges’ knowledge of eyewitness testimony, I am conducting a study with two other researchers that compares judges’ knowledge of eyewitness testimony to that of attorneys, jurors, undergraduates and law students. In another study with two researchers from Norway, we will determine how U.S. judges’ knowledge of eyewitness testimony compares to Norwegian judges’ knowledge of eyewitness testimony. This study should give some indication if judges from different countries, cultures, and legal systems have similar or different knowledge of eyewitness testimony. In addition, I am planning to develop a course to educate judges and attorneys about eyewitness testimony and then measure its effectiveness. My prior research on judges suggests that a well-designed course on eyewitness testimony may help judges and others to develop the knowledge attitudes, and beliefs they need to reduce eyewitness error.

Publications

Wise, R. A., & Safer, M. A. (2004). What U.S. judges know and believe about eyewitness testimony. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 18, 427 – 443.

Wise, R. A., & Safer, M. A. (2003). A survey of judges’ knowledge and beliefs about eyewitness testimony. Court Review, 40 (1), 6 - 16.

Cimbolic, P., Wise, R. A., Rossetti, S., & Safer, M. (1999). Development of a combined ephebophile scale. Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity,6, 253-266.

Wise, R. A. (1982) The retroactive application of Ohio's comparative negligence statue-a golden opportunity, 9 Ohio Northern Law Review 63.