Eyewitness identification has been used to identify perpetrators who have committed criminal acts. Witnesses who have seen the crime happen can identify the person who had committed the crime. The techniques used is called a lineup. A lineup is when approximately five people with similar characteristics are lined up with or without the perpetrator and the witness picks out whom they think they saw commit the crime.
There are ways that police are trying to increase the accuracy of eye witness identification to ensure the proper perpetrator is convicted and not an innocent individual who had no part in the crime. “The first option is to prepare a lineup that does not make the suspect stand out” in the group of people to choose from. The reason for this is if the filler people who are being used in the lineup do not look similar to the criminal then this would make the person more prominent to be picked. He would not be picked because he was the individual the witness saw, but because he stood out in the group which would make him more prominent.
Another way to ensure an adequate lineup pick is to let the witness know before beginning the selection that the perpetrator might or might not be in the lineup. The officer who is conducting the lineup for the witness should take notes and documentation on what identifications were given. If the witness does not have any identification information to give this should also be documented for further use.
I agree with the suggestions given to improve the accurate identification of perpetrators. It is a good idea to let the witness know that the person may not be a part of the lineup. This may deter witnesses from guessing or giving an identification that may not be exactly accurate. One way to help improve the witness identification would be to question witnesses with the same questions asked in a different manner. This will tell police of the witnesses is telling the truth and had seen the perpetrator. “The rearranging of questions in a pattern can define the credibility of the witness” .
Reference
Javaid, N. (2016). Increasing Accuracy in Police Lineups. American Psychological Association, 1-3.
Schutser, B. (2007). Police Lineups. US Department of Justice, 1-44.
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