In addition to ensuring that lineups contain at least five or six people with similar physical characteristics and that officers conducting the lineup are not involved in the case, there are several recommended procedures to follow for conducting effective and fair lineups. Here are five such procedures:
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Instruct Witnesses Properly: Officers should provide clear and unbiased instructions to witnesses before they view the lineup. Witnesses should be informed that the perpetrator may or may not be present in the lineup and that they should not feel pressured to make an identification.
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Sequential Presentation: Rather than showing all lineup members simultaneously (a simultaneous lineup), sequentially presenting each member one at a time can reduce the possibility of relative judgment, where a witness may pick someone who looks most like the perpetrator relative to others in the lineup instead of being certain about their choice.
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Avoiding Feedback: Officers should avoid giving any feedback to witnesses after they make an identification. Any reaction, whether positive or negative, can influence the witness’s confidence and recall of the event, potentially leading to false memories or reconstructions of their experience.
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Recording the Process: It is recommended to audio or video record the lineup procedure. This ensures that there is a permanent record of the identification process, which can help assess the reliability of the identification later and can provide transparency in the event of legal scrutiny.
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Number the Photos/Persons: If a photographic lineup is used, each photo should be numbered, and the witness should be asked to identify the number of the person they are selecting. This prevents officers from inadvertently leading the witness and ensures that the chosen identification is based on their recollection alone.
By implementing these procedures, law enforcement can help ensure that lineups are conducted fairly and that the resulting identifications are more reliable.
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