When two fields collide: Identifying "super-recognisers" for neuropsychological and forensic face recognition...

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Forensic Psychology
• Individual Differences in Perception

Background:

• The study of face recognition has historically focused on prosopagnosia.
• Recent research highlights substantial variability in face recognition abilities within the general population.
• Super-recognisers represent individuals at the highest end of this ability spectrum.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current protocols for identifying super-recognisers in published literature.
• To propose a unified definition of super-recognisers.
• To offer screening recommendations for consistent identification across research fields.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of published studies employing methods to identify super-recognisers.
• Analysis of discrepancies in definitions and identification approaches.
• Synthesis of findings to propose a standardized framework.

Main Results:

• Discrepancies exist in the definition and identification of super-recognisers across cognitive neuropsychology and forensic face matching.
• Current methodologies lack consistency, hindering theoretical advancement.
• A need for standardized protocols is evident for both scientific understanding and practical application.

Conclusions:

• Establishing a common definition and standardized screening methods for super-recognisers is crucial.
• Such standardization will facilitate theoretical progress in face recognition research.
• Consistent identification protocols are essential for the effective implementation of super-recognisers in forensic and security settings.