What UK police need to know about emotional displays and gender bias in witness testimony

11th May 2026Dr Cody Porter, University of West of England

Victim and witness statements can play a vital role in shaping an investigation, but new research from Dr Cody Porter of the University of the West of England and Dr Mircea Zloteanu of King’s College London suggest that the emotionality of witnesses can unintentionally mislead decision-makers including police officers, especially when filtered through unconscious gendered expectations.

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What UK police need to know about emotional displays and gender bias in witness testimony

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