In the Lineup Limelight

What a difference The New York Times makes. Several months 
ago, Iowa State psychology professor Gary Wells was featured 
promin-ently in a Times story about eyewitness testimony and 
police lineups. Wells has done research on the efficiency and 
accuracy of police lineups for 20 years and is one of the 
country's leading experts on eyewitness testimony.

The story set off a deluge of attention for Wells and his 
work. Among media featuring the ISU prof were The Los Angeles 
Times, NBC's Today Show and The Chicago Tribune. News 
magazine programs from the three major networks also were in 
hot pursuit, and Wells will go eye to eye with CBS's Connie 
Chung soon.

"The response to the story has been incredible," said Wells, 
who has been on the ISU faculty since 1989. In the weeks 
following the Times story, he fielded 20 to 30 calls a day 
from attorneys and law enforcement officers seeking advice 
about eyewitness testimony or wanting to share their own 
experiences with eyewitnesses.

As a result, Wells said his access to research fodder has 
increased tenfold. He has been consulted on some key cases 
that eventually could involve the U.S. Supreme Court and are 
important to future legal policy on eyewitness testimony.

"I've been put in a position of making a true difference," 
Wells added.

What does a professor/police lineup expert do between 
teaching class and giving interviews? He chalks up a pool 
stick and hits the competitive pool circuit. Since witnessing 
him on The Today Show, some of the guys down at the pool hall 
just don't look at Wells the same. It's like he's a celebrity 
or something.

"When I'm playing pool, I just want to be one of the guys," 
Wells said. "I want to be thought of as a pool player, 
because I'm good and I'm getting better."

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contact:  Internal Communications, (515) 294-3129
updated:  5-25-95