methods for improving the accuracy of police line-ups

Double-Blind Lineup Administration

The officer conducting the lineup should not know which person is the suspect, Prevents unintentional verbal or nonverbal cues

Inform Witnesses the Suspect May Not Be Present

• Witnesses should be explicitly told that the perpetrator might not be in the lineup, Reduces pressure to select someone, Helps prevent relative judgment, where witnesses choose whoever looks most like the perpetrator rather than deciding whether they genuinely recognize someone

Use Fair Lineup Fillers

Nonsuspect individuals, called fillers, should fit the witness's description of the perpetrator, The suspect should not obviously stand out

Avoid Suggestive Feedback

Officers should not tell witnesses that they identified the correct person, Confirming feedback can artificially increase confidence after an identification

Record Confidence Immediately

Ask witnesses how confident they are at the moment of their initial identification, Record their exact words before feedback or additional information influences confidence

Sequential vs. Simultaneous Lineups

• Simultaneous: All lineup members are presented together.

• Sequential: Lineup members are presented one at a time

Avoid Repeated or Contaminating Identification Procedures

• Repeatedly exposing witnesses to the same suspect can increase familiarity.

• Witnesses may confuse familiarity from previous lineup exposure with familiarity from the original event.