New Study Illuminates Significant Discrepancy in Witness ID Procedures

November 25, 2011

A recently published study by Iowa State University found that there are concrete differences between police witness identification procedures and that the utilization of select techniques may help reduce inaccurate suspect identifications without sacrificing correct identifications.

Most Americans are familiar with typical police lineups: Individuals are paraded into a room and stand facing a one-way mirror, behind which an eyewitness identifies a potential suspect. In another method, witnesses are presented with a sheet of paper with several lineup photos and are asked to identify the correct suspect from the array.

The Iowa State study found that these techniques are not the most effective ways to accurately identify suspects. Instead, the researchers recommend that law enforcement adopt a double-blind sequential lineup procedure, which the study indicates will reduce witness identification errors without sacrificing accurate identifications.

Double-Blind Sequential Lineups

In double-blind sequential lineup, an officer unfamiliar with the investigation and its suspects conducts the lineup, or officers have the witness use a lineup computer program. The officer or program presents either live suspects or suspect photos to the witness one at a time rather than all at once.

Double-blind sequential lineups have several advantages over traditional ID methods. First, using an independent officer or computer program eliminates any conscious or subconscious bias a detective on the case may have toward suspects. Sequential lineups also force the witness to compare photos or live suspects against their memory rather than against the photos of other, similar-appearing people, which yields a more objective result. Researchers have determined that double-blind sequential lineups have only a 12 percent error rate, meaning that witnesses only pick the wrong individual 12 percent of the time. On the other hand, when witnesses are presented with all the suspects at once, the process yields an 18 percent error rate.

Misidentifications and Reducing Wrongful Convictions

This study highlights how drastically lineup procedure can change the course of a criminal investigation and the criminal defense process. Using sequential lineups reduces the probability that witnesses will identify an innocent individual. In a September press release, Gary L. Wells, a director at the American Judicature Society, explained that misidentification of suspects is the leading cause of wrongful convictions in the nation. Since witness misidentification can have a dramatic impact on the outcome of an investigation and subsequent trial, it is imperative that police departments adopt the most objective, accurate procedures possible.

Fortunately, states including North Carolina have recently adopted laws which require law enforcement to use double-blind sequential lineups in their witness identification procedures. North Carolina's statute 15A-284.52 "Eyewitness identification reform" requires that police departments use an independent administrator, computer program, or randomly-numbered photos in individual folders to present potential suspects sequentially to witnesses.

Hopefully, the adoption of sequential lineups will aid in reducing the number of innocent individuals who are wrongfully accused or convicted of crime. If you or a loved one has been identified by an eyewitness as a suspect for a crime you did not commit, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately to help protect your rights and clear your name.

Article provided by The Baker Law Firm, P.A.
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