NCJ Number
230067
Journal
Legal and Criminological Psychology Volume: 15 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2010 Pages: 77-96
Date Published
February 2010
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This article reviews what is known about a number of the effective steps in conducting a lineup.
Abstract
When investigating crimes police frequently use eyewitness identification tests such as lineups in an attempt to establish the culprit's identity. It is now well documented that witnesses commonly make mistakes, sometimes identifying innocent suspects or failing to identify the culprit. Lineup administrators also make mistakes in the sens that they use procedures that increase the likelihood of eyewitness error. Eyewitness memory research has provided a basis for many useful guidelines regarding the conduct of identification tests. Here, the relevant research underpinning effective procedures for lineup construction, lineup presentation, recording the witness's decision, and providing feedback to the witness are reviewed. The systematic implementation of these guidelines is likely to reduce significantly the extent of eyewitness errors at the identification test and improve the probative value of courtroom testimony about identity. However, further significant advances may well require the development of novel procedures for accessing witnesses' memories. References (Published Abstract)