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Memory and the law

Understanding memory in the legal system

Conscience, Mémoire et MétaCognition (CoMMet)

Legal decisions are often based on memory, either victims recalling events, odentifying criminals or even offenders remembering their crimes. In this project we look at recovered memories of traumatic events and the validity of these memories. We also focus on memories of violent crimes in offenders and the factors influencing their recall such as pretending not to remember exactly what happened. This work, in collaboration with the RTP Mémoire will also lead to the publication of a book aimed at magistrates, police officers, lawyers and even expert witnesses with the purpose to explain the role of memory in court and its reliability. 

LPNC researchers involved

Céline Souchay, Krystian Barzykowski (Research fellow)

Collaborators

Valérie Moulin (LIP, Grenoble), RTP Mémoire, Henry Otgaar (Maastricht University), Fabiana Battista (University of Bari, Italy), Ivan Mangiulli (University of Bari, Italy)

Funding

RTP Mémoire

Publié le 24 septembre 2025

Mis à jour le 9 octobre 2025