When is a person likely to be considered a good witness?

A person is likely to be considered a good witness if they have a clear understanding of the incident. This means they can accurately recall and describe what they observed, provide specific details, and communicate their observations in a coherent manner. A clear understanding enables a witness to relay information that is relevant and factual, which is crucial for investigation and legal processes.

Having accurate and detailed recollections helps law enforcement and the judicial system piece together the events that transpired, establish timelines, and understand the context of the incident. Good witnesses are those who can differentiate between what they actually saw or heard versus assumptions or interpretations they may have made, thereby maintaining the integrity of their testimony.

In contrast, providing opinions tends to dilute the objectivity of a witness's account, as those opinions can be subjective and not based solely on factual observations. Summarizing a view may omit critical details necessary for understanding the full scope of the incident. Being involved in previous incidents may demonstrate experience, but it does not inherently mean that the person has useful or clear observations regarding the current incident in question. Therefore, clarity and understanding of the specific event are essential to being a credible and effective witness.