A photo lineup is used by US law enforcement to help identify suspects. The lineup must consist of similar-looking individuals to avoid prejudice. Positive identification can lead to arrest, but it may not be enough evidence for a strong prosecution case. Other identification methods include single photos, presentations, and in-person lineups. Digital photography and databases have made creating lineups easier, but a positive ID is just the first step in a successful conviction.
In the United States, a photo lineup is a procedure used by law enforcement agencies to help a witness identify a suspected criminal. A photo lineup typically consists of a number of photographs, including a photo of the suspect. By law, the subjects in the photo lineup must be similar in appearance to the suspect so as not to unduly highlight or intentionally elicit a response that could be prejudicial to the accused. Positive identification by the witness can be used to apprehend the suspect and can become evidence in case the case goes to trial.
If there is no corroborating forensic or circumstantial evidence, witness identification alone can create a weak prosecution case and provide plenty of fodder for the defense to contest. The court considers many factors involving the nature of the positive identification documents, the character of the witness, and the relationship to the crime and suspect.
While a series of photos with multiple images is standard, there are cases where identification is done in other ways. A single photo could be used if police have identified a suspect or person of interest and need to move quickly to protect public safety. In other cases, law enforcement may conduct a presentation. This is common when police arrest a suspect close to a crime scene, usually within minutes of the crime occurring. Police may drive one or more witnesses past the scene of the arrest to see if the witnesses can make a positive identification or eliminate the suspect.
When a suspect is already in custody, an in-person lineup could be used instead of a photo lineup. The in-person training consists of several people, including the suspect, and takes place in a police station. The witness observes the training from behind one-way glass so that the training participants cannot see the witness.
A photo lineup is an invaluable tool for gathering evidence that could lead to an arrest. The flexibility of digital photography combined with public and private databases has made the job of law enforcement agencies easier when it comes to building a photography lineup. A positive ID, however, is only the first step in a long line of hard work required for the successful conviction of a suspected offender.
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