Eyewitness identification: Simulating the "weapon effect."

Investigated the effect of weapons on eyewitness recall and recognition in 86 university students, using an experimental paradigm in which a syringe served as weapon simulation. Ss were approached by an experimenter who was either holding a syringe or a pen and either did or did not threaten to administer an injection. Exposure to the syringe greatly decreased lineup recognition, while enhancing the accuracy of recall for hand cues. Threat of injection did not interact with the syringe manipulation. Investigation of individual differences indicated greater accuracy of recall for facial details among Ss with less fear of injections and greater cognitive abilities