Question

Jake, a 24-year-old Caucasian man, was caught in a stolen car and taken into the police station for identification. Which of the following lineups would be the fairest for Jake?

a.
The witness is shown six photos of suspects simultaneously.
b.
The witness is shown six photos of suspects sequentially.
c.
In a physical lineup, the police officer asks the witness "Is that the guy?" while pointing to Jake.
d.
Jake is the only Caucasian man in a physical lineup.

Answer 1

The correct answer is option (b) the witness is shown six photos of suspects sequentially.

Step-by-step explanation:

Jake, a 24-year-old Caucasian man, was caught in a stolen car and taken into the police station for identification. The fairest lineup option for Jake would be option b, where the witness is shown six photos of suspects sequentially. This is because sequential lineups reduce the likelihood of false identification compared to simultaneous lineups.

Research has shown that simultaneous lineups, where all the photos are shown at once, can lead to a higher chance of misidentification due to the witness making a relative judgment rather than an absolute identification. Sequential lineups, on the other hand, allow the witness to make a decision based on absolute memory and not on comparison to other options.

It is important to ensure fairness in the identification process to avoid wrongful convictions. By using sequential lineups and other recommended procedures, such as blind administration and neutral language, the risk of misidentification can be minimized.