What makes a good alibi? A proposed taxonomy

A taxonomy of alibis is proposed involving two forms of supporting proof: physical evidence and person evidence. Levels of physical evidence and person evidence were combined to create 12 cells in the taxonomy. Participants (n = 252), who were asked to assume the role of detectives, evaluated alibis representing these 12 cells. The believability of the alibis generally followed the taxonomy's predicted pattern, but physical evidence, when present, tended to overwhelm the person evidence more than had been expected. In addition, alibi evaluators seemed to not consider the possibility that a stranger who corroborated an alibi might be mistaken about the identity of the person. Trait inferences regarding the alibi providers tended to follow the believability data, even when the traits themselves were not relevant to believability of the alibi. We call for the development of a literature on the psychology of alibis, recommend the taxonomy as a framework, and suggest several avenues of inquiry.