Goldsmiths Face Lab

Research on face recognition, eyewitness testimony & eyewitness identification

We examine a person’s face for cues to understanding how they feel, what their intentions are, recognise their identity, sex, ethnicity and age. Here at Goldsmiths FaceLab we study many aspects of face perception, but with a particular emphasis on face identification in forensic contexts.
Here are just a few of the topics that we’re investigating:

• How does stress affect the reliability of eyewitness’ identification?
• Does alcohol impair the ability of a witness to identify the perpetrator of a crime?
• How reliably can people be identified from CCTV images?
• How can we best help patients with an acquired brain injury, who experience difficulties recognising faces?
• How is our memory for celebrities organised?
• Are attractive faces just average?

To answer these questions and many more, we run experiments in the laboratory and in field settings such as a shopping centre, the London Dungeon or a student bar! In addition we collect data from investigation of actual criminal cases working closely with the police.