1. The perpetrator is described by the eyewitness as a white male with light-colored hair. What’s the problem with this lineup?
The problem with multiple-suspect lineups is that the probability of a possible mistaken identification rises dramatically as the number of suspects in a lineup increases. If more than one suspect must be shown in any one lineup, the fillers must be multiplied accordingly (e.g., 2 suspects require a minimum of 10 fillers).
2. Your witness witnesses a crime. You are fortunate that your witness had a body cam and you are able to see the video first hand. Here’s what your witness saw.
3. You need to put together a photo lineup for your witness to review. The most recent photo of the suspect is not necessarily the best one to use if the suspect’s appearance has changed since the time of the crime. For example, the suspect may intentionally change his/her appearance. In their efforts to ensure that the suspect’s photo does not unduly stand out, police have often gone to great lengths to ensure that all members of a lineup look as similar to one another as possible, including the suspect. Making the fillers closely resemble the suspect is not advised because a lineup in which all the people look very similar to one another actually reduces the chances of accurate identification by a witness. Lineup fillers must merely match the description of the offender as given by the witness viewing that lineup, as long as the policy is upheld that the suspect does not unduly stand out. Which 5 fillers would you select from the photos below.
4. Advise the Witness that he/she will view a group of individuals and that it’s just as important to clear innocent persons as to identify the guilty person. Then advise the witness that individuals present in the lineup may not appear exactly as they did on the date of the incident, as features such as head and facial hair are subject to change. Now, you are conducting a blind identification procedure, where you do not know which person in the lineup is the suspect. Now, view the two lineups yourself and decide who you think the suspect is? Provide your selection (number and lineup) and reasoning. Is there anything wrong with the two lineups? What can you do to minimize the likelihood a witness will make a mistake?
