An investigation into a minor collision between an electric scooter and a wooden park bench has shown how easily eyewitness memory can be distorted by suggestive questioning during statements.
Several park visitors who witnessed the collision between the e-scooter and the bench were interviewed by park rangers ten days after the incident. Multiple witnesses claimed that the scooter was travelling at a dangerous speed, estimating it was going over 25 mph, and insisted they saw splinters of shattered wood and broken metal brackets scattered across the pathway. Consequently, the rider was nearly issued a heavy fine for reckless operation.
However, a review of high-definition council security footage revealed a vastly different sequence of events. The e-scooter was actually moving at a walking pace (under 4 mph) and merely tapped the side of the bench while trying to steer around a dog. The bench sustained no damage, and there were absolutely no wood splinters or broken brackets. The incorrect witness claims were attributed to the leading verbs used by the rangers in their feedback forms, such as 'crashed' and 'demolished'.
Briefly outline one of the experiments from the core study into eyewitness testimony by Loftus and Palmer and explain how it could relate to the article.
