CJ II Warm-up & Schedule List the nine physical characteristics that victims most often identify? Elements of a Police Lineup - Lecture and Activity.

Elements of a Police Lineup

At its most basic level, a police lineup involves placing a suspect among people not suspected of committing the crime (fillers) and asking the eyewitness if he or she can identify the perpetrator.

This can be done using a live lineup of people. Live lineups typically use five or six people (a suspect plus four or five fillers).

More commonly used in U.S. police departments are lineups of photographs. Photo lineups consist of six or more photographs.

There are two common types of lineups: simultaneous and sequential. In a simultaneous lineup (used most often), the eyewitness views all the people or photos at the same time. In a sequential lineup, people or photographs are presented to the witness one at a time.

Photographs of the suspect and fillers can be shown to the identifier in what is called a "photo-lineup" or a "six pack". If the victim or witness successfully identifies the suspect from among the fillers, the identification is considered valid.

Typically, the law enforcement official or lineup administrator knows who the suspect is. In a “double-blind” lineup, neither the administrator nor the witness knows the identity of the suspect, and so the administrator cannot influence the witness in any way.

Additional variables that can affect the outcome of police lineups include: Pre-lineup instructions given to the witness. This includes explaining that the suspect may or may not be present in the lineup. Single photograph should never be used. Color photographs should not be mixed with black-and-white photographs

The physical characteristics of fillers. Fillers who do not resemble the witness’s description of the perpetrator may cause a suspect to stand out.

Similarities or differences between witness and suspect age, race, or ethnicity. Research suggests that when the offender is present in a lineup, young children and the elderly perform nearly as well as young adults in identifying the perpetrator. So offer a lineup to your victim/witness.

Incident characteristics, such as the use of force or weapons. The presence of a weapon during an incident can draw visual attention away from other things, such as the perpetrator’s face, thus affecting an eyewitness’s ability to identify the holder of the weapon.

For evidence from a lineup to be admissible in court, the lineup itself must be conducted fairly. The police may not say or do anything that persuades the witness to identify the suspect that they prefer. This includes loading the lineup with people who look very dissimilar to the suspect.

Effective Observation Techniques: – Victims are usually able to describe a maximum of nine physical characteristics: Sex Race Hair color Height Weight Complexion Age Eye color Build

SUMMARY – Police Lineup The photographic array should contain at least six photographs. Photographs should be of persons of similar physical appearances. Simultaneous lineup (used most often), the eyewitness views all. Sequential lineup, people or photographs are presented to the witness one at a time. The officer should not indicate through words or actions that a particular photograph is of the person believed to be the suspect. The presence of a weapon during an incident usually draws visual attention away from other things, such as the perpetrator’s face.

CJ II/ Individual - Class Activity: Create a Police Photo Lineup. Use the student computers/smart device to find pictures of individuals for your police lineup. Ensure to follow the guidelines of creating a "photo-lineup" or a "six pack". Organize your pictures on – Off. Word Document and the photo lineup to Don’t forget the fillers. Due at the end of class.

Class Activity: Create a Police Photo Lineup. Use the magazines to find pictures of individuals for your police lineup. Ensure to follow the guidelines of creating a "photo-lineup" or a "six pack". Organize your pictures neatly on the paper provided. Don’t forget the fillers.

Warm-up / Police Lineup Warm-up / Police Lineup According to the lecture, which of the following statements are correct? A.A single photograph should never be used. B.Color photographs should not be mixed with black-and-white photographs C.Police officers should not tell the victim of a crime that a photograph that the victim is looking at is thought to be the suspect. D.All of the above. AnswerD

A woman has been the victim of a purse snatching. She is brought to headquarters to look at photographs to see if she can identify her assailant. According to the lecture, which of the following is incorrect procedure? A.The victim was shown forty Polaroid mug shots, all of which were in black and white and of similar types B.The victim was not allowed to view the mug shots in the company of her husband, who witnessed the crime. C.The victim was shown fifty mug shots of suspects with dissimilar physical appearances D.The officer left the victim alone and did not suggest that he believed any person in the photographs was the person who committed the crime. Answer C (Photographs should be of persons with similar physical appearance)

The primary purpose of showing photographs to witnesses and victims of crimes is to A.Ensure the constitutional rights of a person accused of committing a crime. B.Provide a procedure to ensure that the use of photographs by police is not unnecessarily suggestive. C.Determine who committed the crime. D.Justify the arrest of a suspect in a criminal indictment. AnswerC

CJ - Warm up Change in CJ Schedule… Criminal Justice Article Day: – Write your article summary (one paragraph) in your CJ notebook. – Get your article ready for presentation. Turn in your article after class presentation.