Workshops
Facilitating Witness Memory Retrieval: Tools and Techniques informed by psychological science
Delivered by: Prof Fiona Gabbert & Prof Lorraine Hope
Date: June 10
Time: 19:00-21:00 MYT
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In this workshop, we will explore how witness and victim memory can be facilitated through the use of retrieval support and examine tools and techniques designed to promote detailed and accurate recall in forensic interviewing contexts. Workshop attendees will take part in exercises designed to enable them to experience use and administration of the techniques.
Detecting Deception in the Far East:
What We Know and What We Need to Find Out
Delivered by: Assoc Prof Dr Majeed Khader
Facilitated by: Ms Stephanie Chan & Ms Whistine Chai
Date: June 10
Time: 21:00-22:00 MYT
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The study of deception is one traditional area of study within forensic and criminal psychology with much of the early work being done in the area of nonverbal techniques in the late 80s and 90s. In recent times, there has been a lot more focus on verbal techniques and cognitive load which appear to be more promising. Yet, there are three broad societal challenges. First, much of this has been done in European and American settings and with debates about replicability, it is important for science to be able to demonstrate that many of these findings are transferable across not only cultures but also criminal justice jurisdictions. Second, the pandemic has caused us to work differently. Judges are holding remote courtroom hearings and yet have to assess the ‘demeanor’ (in court) and credibility. Third, technological advances have resulted in new questions about whether veracity and deception are discernable using technology such as machine learning, video analytics, face recognition software and audio analytics. This workshop therefore discusses what we know, where we are, and what we can do about it from the angle of advancing science and research but also professional practice.
An Introduction to Registered Reports and Open Science
Delivered by: Prof Steve M. J. Janssen
Date: June 11
Time: 17:00-18:00 MYT
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Not only Psychology –but also findings in other science fields– have been affected by what is called the Replication Crisis, which is the realization that many findings in the scientific literature cannot be reproduced. This crisis has been caused by the publication bias. Because scientific journals have for many years avoided publishing null findings, researchers tended to submit mostly studies that supported the hypothesis. The crisis has been exacerbated by questionable research practises, such as HARK-ing, p-hacking, and using small samples. To minimize publication bias and questionable research practises, researchers have started to make their science more open. They have begun to pre-register their studies and to make their research practises more transparent. Journals, on the other hand, have begun to encourage sharing of materials, data, and code and to offer Registered Reports. This workshop will introduce researchers from all career stages to the Replication Crisis, pre-registration, and Open Science.
Academic Writing
Delivered by: Dr Magdalene Ng
Date: June 11
Time: 18:00-19:00 MYT
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Writing for academic journals can be highly competitive, stressful and sometimes a long process. The aim of this workshop is to encourage early career researchers, graduates, and postgraduates in South East Asia to develop scholarly publications for high-impact journals in the field of forensic psychology and beyond. This workshop will also aim to provide support in enabling and building lasting connections with academics based in the region and elsewhere.
The Own-Race Bias for Face Recognition
Delivered by: Dr Wong Hoo Keat
Date: June 11
Time: 19:00-20:00 MYT
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Despite the facility with which facial information can be processed, human accuracy for face recognition can be easily affected by the issue of race. The own-race bias (ORB) is a robust phenomenon characterised by poor recognition memory of other-race faces compared to own-race faces. By receiving extensive empirical attention, the ORB has consistently been found across different cultures and has been replicated in adults from different racial backgrounds, including individuals with Caucasian, African, and Asian ancestry (see Meissner & Brigham, 2001, for a meta-analytic review). Such deficits in other-race face recognition have been of longstanding interest in various domains, including visual perception, cognitive psychology, social psychology, and forensic psychology. This workshop will cover the main theoretical explanations for the ORB, combining perspectives from cognitive, developmental and social psychology. Empirical findings derived from a series of face recognition studies in Malaysia will also be discussed.
Facilitating the Questioning of Vulnerable Witnesses:
The Role of a Registered Intermediary
Delivered by: Assoc Prof Dr Yee-San Teoh
Date: June 11
Time: 20:00-21:00 MYT
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Witness intermediaries are typically appointed to facilitate the questioning of vulnerable people, so as to obtain the best-quality evidence from the vulnerable witness. The intermediary may be asked to employ or recommend a variety of rapport-building and memory retrieval techniques during a forensic interview or cross-examination. However, it may be challenging for an intermediary to intervene during the questioning process, despite efforts to communicate evidence-informed recommendations to the police, prosecutor and the court. This workshop discusses the impact of psychological research on the functions and development of the intermediary role.
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