Question

If a lineup is held in a jail viewing room, the lighting should be:

a) Bright to ensure clear identification.

b) Dim to create a suggestive environment.

c) Neutral, similar to standard lighting conditions.

d) Dependent on the suspect's preference.

Answer 1

In a jail lineup, the lighting should be neutral to avoid creating an environment that may influence eyewitness identification and to adhere to the standards set to reduce suggestibility in witness testimony.

Step-by-step explanation:

When conducting a lineup in a jail viewing room, the lighting should be neutral, similar to standard lighting conditions. This is important to prevent the creation of a suggestive environment which could lead to misidentification. Proper lighting ensures that the witness can make a clear identification without being influenced by dramatic or misleading physical elements.

Strong lighting or overly dramatic settings can alter perception, akin to how different lighting can change the appearance of an actor's costume on stage, misleading the audience about the character's condition. Moreover, neutral lighting aligns with recommendations to reduce the suggestibility of eyewitnesses as established by Loftus and other researchers, ensuring that the witness testimony is as reliable as possible.