I gave the police an description of the person they were looking for -- a middle-aged black female. My description included her approximate height and age, the location and direction she was walking when I saw her, and an exact description of everything she was wearing.
The cop didn't seem to believe me. He asked: "How do you remember all that?"
My response: "Something didn't look right about her, and I figured she didn't live around here. I guess I just made a mental note of it when she walked past."
About 20 years ago we were camping at a family reunion. Late one nth gas we were at the fire, a drunk driver came driving out of the cornfield and through our campsite.
Out of 10-15 people, only my brother and I were able to provide any description. My brother gave a good description of the car including plate number. I concentrated on the driver. Age, appx height by how he sat, hair color, shirt etc.
The cops found him and reported back to us. Unfortunately since he was at home when they got to him, he couldn’t be charged but they put some fear I him. They were impressed at how good our descriptions were.
I recently had a VERY suspicious person approach me in front of my house. He stopped his car, in the rain, with the window down and wanted to talk to me about his cheating wife, their pending divorce and if I had any work done in my house recently. He looked like a body builder. I had no idea what he was talking about and, after about 5 minutes and several hints that it was time for him to go, the hair stood up on the back of my neck, adrenaline started to flow and I made a conscious decision to start memorizing details. When I finally told him I believed he was there to rob me or worse and that he REALLY needed to get back in his car and leave, he paused, noted my hand in my pocket and left. I went in the house and typed every detail. Then I called the police with everything from the make, model and plate number of his car to the color of his eyes and hair style. He told me his name and I found him on facebook. Even I was amazed at how accurate my recollection of him and his car were.