Journal Article2024
Online Misinformation Can Distort Witnesses' Memories: Analysis of Co-Witness Discussions Using an Online Version of the MORI-v Technique
Magdalena Kekus, Malwina Szpitalak
When people who witnessed the same event discuss it, their individual memories tend to converge — sometimes towards inaccurate details introduced by another person. This 2024 open-access study demonstrates that the effect operates even in online discussions. For investigators taking witness statements after shared experiences, accounts gathered after witnesses have spoken together may already reflect social contamination rather than independent recall.