Considering the weight put on eyewitness testimony in investigations and trials and how inaccurate and vulnerable to distortion eyewitness memory can be, eyewitness memory experts have developed a smartphone app that allows victims and witnesses alike to provide detailed accounts of an event moments after it has happened.

Often, eyewitness testimony can be unreliable, depending on whether leading questions were asked of the eyewitness or if there was a long delay between the event and reporting those details to the police.

The iWitnessed smartphone app was designed to help preserve and protect the memory of victims and witnesses by offering them a chance to record their testimony in the moments after an event such as a car accident when details are apt to be more accurate.

Legally, the notes recorded using the app are considered contemporaneous notes that can be used to refresh the memory of a witness to an event. Designed to be used by anyone in Australia, users can type the details of the witnessed event using the keypad of their smartphone or other device as well as record spoken notes. Additionally, details do not need to be in English and the app offers other resources such as contact information for support services and advice about responding to a traumatic event.

In addition to text and recordings, images can also be uploaded into the system and everything entered into the system can be time, location and date stamped and sent to the proper authorities in an email. Likewise, the information can also be stored on the user’s device as well as PIN protected.

The app is now available to the general public for free download for Apple and Android devices throughout Australia.