The Effects of Alcohol on Crime‐related Memories: A Field Study

Summary This field study investigated to what extent memory of criminally relevant details is affected at (close to) zero ( M BAC = 0.00%), moderate ( M BAC = 0.06%), and high ( M BAC = 0.16%) levels of alcohol intoxication. Participants ( N = 76) were approached in bars and were invited to watch a mock crime from a perpetrator perspective. We also measured their blood alcohol concentration levels. After 3–5 days, when participants were sober, they underwent a free and cued recall task about the mock crime. Compared with sober controls, both moderately and highly intoxicated individuals were less complete when recollecting crime details, recalling up to 33% fewer correct details. Overall, intoxicated participants were less accurate during the cued recall task (i.e. they produced more errors) relative to sober participants. These accuracy effects were dose‐dependent for cued recall of salient features. Implications for police interrogations of defendants are discussed.