Improving the AMBER Alert System: Psychology Research and Policy Recommendations 30 Law & Psychology Review 2006

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30 Law & Psychol. Rev. 1 (2006)
Improving the AMBER Alert System: Psychology Research and Policy Recommendations

handle is hein.journals/lpsyr30 and id is 5 raw text is: LAW & PSYCHOLOGY REVIEW
Volume 30 Spring 2006
IMPROVING THE AMBER ALERT SYSTEM:
PSYCHOLOGY RESEARCH AND POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS
Monica K. Miller*
Samantha S. Clizkinbeard*
I. INTRODUCTION
When lawmakers implemented the AMBER Alert System, they initi-
ated a system designed to save the lives of missing children. However,
the system might not be working as well as possible. If psychological
research on related areas (e.g., memory and witness identification) extends
to AMBER Alerts, it is likely that the system can be improved.
Section II of this article begins with a description and history of the
AMBER Alert System, followed by a brief discussion of the effectiveness
of the system. Section III continues with a review of numerous psycho-
logical studies that have important implications when applied to the
AMBER Alert System. In Section IV, the authors make suggestions for
improvements to the AMBER Alert System based on the reviewed re-
search literature. Section V offers policy suggestions for improving the
System, such as designating more money toward psychological research
on AMBER Alerts. Finally, the paper concludes with suggestions for
future research directly measuring the effectiveness of the AMBER Alert
System. These steps are desperately needed to fully realize the visions of
lawmakers who crafted the legislation.

* Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice and Social Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno
** Social Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno