lineup
showups
other means
photographic identification
problems/
guidelines
100

what is a lineup

a police identification procedure by which the suspect in a
crime is exhibited, along with others with similar physical
characteristics, before the victim or witness to determine if he can be
identified as having committed the offense

100

what is a showup

one-to-one confrontation between a suspect and
a witness to crime

100

what is DNA testing

This type of scientific evidence compares genetic material from a suspect with material found at the crime scene.

100

what is a photographic identification 

This type of identification involves showing a victim or witness pictures of possible suspects.

100

what is eyewitness identification 

This type of identification has become less reliable in recent years, contributing to many wrongful convictions.

200

what is not required 

Miranda rights 

200

what is a showup 

Unlike a lineup, this type of identification often happens when a lineup would be impractical or impossible

200

what is CODIS

This national database allows law enforcement across the country to upload and compare DNA profiles.

200

what is the right to counsel 

During photographic identifications, this constitutional right does not apply because no in-person procedure occurs.

200

what is mistaken eyewitness identification 

Roughly 75% of DNA exoneration cases involve this major error made by victims or witnesses.

300

what is United states v. Wade 

A right to counsel exists after the accused has been formally charged
with an offense

300

what is the right against self-incrimination 

During a showup, this constitutional protection does not apply because the suspect is not being compelled to speak.

300

what is the innocence project

This organization is known for using DNA evidence to overturn wrongful convictions, contributing to over 289 exonerations.

300

what is the right to due process 

This constitutional protection requires that photographic identifications cannot be overly suggestive.

300

what are the standards and guidelines for identification procedures 

One reason eyewitness identification remains inconsistent is that these vary widely across different states.

400

what is Kirby v Illinois

A suspect in a lineup has no right to a lawyer if he has not been
formally charged with an offense

400

what is prior description 

One of the five factors courts consider in evaluating the fairness of a showup is the accuracy of this given by the witness before identifying the suspect.

400

what is a polygraph

These test results are usually inadmissible in court because they fail to meet the Frye doctrine unless both parties agree.

400

what is the protection against unreasonable search and seizure 

This constitutional principle is not triggered by photographic identifications because nothing is physically taken or examined.

400
what are the Department of Justice eyewitness identification guidelines 

Although these federal recommendations aim to improve the accuracy of lineups and showups, law enforcement agencies are not required to adopt them.

500

what is an interested observer 

If a lawyer is present, their function is

500

what is the level of certainty demonstrated by the witness 

This specific factor courts examine evaluates how confident the witness appeared when identifying the suspect during a showup.

500

what is brain fingerprinting

This advanced technique analyzes the brain’s electrical responses to determine whether a suspect possesses specific knowledge about a crime or an alibi.

500

what is the right against self-incrimination 

This protection does not apply in photographic identifications because the suspect does not provide any testimonial evidence.

500

what are the Department of Justice's voluntary identification guidelines

These recommended procedures for improving lineups and eyewitness identifications are optional for police departments because they have not been passed into law.

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