Misidentification: meaning, definitions and examples
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misidentification
[ ˌmɪsaɪdɛntɪfɪˈkeɪʃən ]
legal context
Misidentification refers to an error that occurs when a person, object, or event is incorrectly identified. This can happen in various situations, such as eyewitness testimony in criminal cases, where a witness incorrectly identifies a suspect. Misidentification can lead to wrongful convictions and significant legal consequences. It is essential in both the legal system and psychological studies as it touches on human perception and memory reliability.
Synonyms
error in identification, misrecognition, mistaken identity.
Examples of usage
- The case was thrown out due to misidentification of the defendant.
- Eyewitness misidentification can severely impact jury decisions.
- The psychologist discussed factors that contribute to misidentification.
- Misidentification can arise from suggestive lineups.
Translations
Translations of the word "misidentification" in other languages:
🇵🇹 mau reconhecimento
🇮🇳 गलत पहचान
🇩🇪 Fehlidentifikation
🇮🇩 kesalahan identifikasi
🇺🇦 неправильна ідентифікація
🇵🇱 błędna identyfikacja
🇯🇵 誤認識
🇫🇷 mauvaise identification
🇪🇸 mala identificación
🇹🇷 yanlış tanımlama
🇰🇷 잘못된 식별
🇸🇦 تحديد خاطئ
🇨🇿 špatná identifikace
🇸🇰 nesprávna identifikácia
🇨🇳 误识别
🇸🇮 napačna identifikacija
🇮🇸 rangt auðkenni
🇰🇿 қате анықтау
🇬🇪 ცუდი იდენტიფიკაცია
🇦🇿 səhv tanınma
🇲🇽 mala identificación
Etymology
The term 'misidentification' is derived from the prefix 'mis-' meaning wrong or erroneous, and 'identification', which comes from the Latin word 'identificare'. The word 'identify' itself traces back to the Latin root 'identitas', from 'idem', meaning 'the same'. Combined, these elements suggest a process that involves wrongly determining the identity of someone or something. The rise of forensic science and psychological studies has increased the usage of this term, especially in legal contexts, highlighting its importance in discussions about justice and human cognition. Its application has expanded beyond legal settings to include fields such as psychology and social sciences, where understanding the accuracy of identification plays a crucial role.