‘Perp Walks’ and Public Perception | Retro Report

How do actions by law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and the news media shape public perceptions of crime and suspects? Police have long allowed cameras to capture suspects in custody, a practice known as a perp walk. For journalists, it produces powerful images. For defense attorneys, it can undermine the presumption of innocence. Students learn media literacy skills by analyzing how so-called perp walks shape public perceptions of guilt and evaluating the roles of the news media and law enforcement officials, using evidence from multiple sources.