Opinion ID: 1442836
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 21

Heading: conducting the identification procedure

Text: The identification procedure should be conducted in a manner that promotes the accuracy, reliability, fairness and objectivity of the witness' identification. These steps are designed to ensure the accuracy of identification or nonidentification decisions. A. Simultaneous Photo Lineup: When presenting a simultaneous photo lineup, the lineup administrator or investigator should: 1. Provide viewing instructions to the witness as outlined in subsection I B, above. 2. Confirm that the witness understands the nature of the lineup procedure. 3. Avoid saying anything to the witness that may influence the witness' selection. 4. If an identification is made, avoid reporting to the witness any information regarding the individual he or she has selected prior to obtaining the witness' statement of certainty. 5. Record any identification results and witness' statement of certainty as outlined in subsection II E, Recording Identification Results. 6. Document in writing the lineup procedure, including: a. Identification information and sources of all photos used. b. Names of all persons present at the photo lineup. c. Date and time of the identification procedure. 7. Instruct the witness not to discuss the identification procedure or its results with other witnesses involved in the case and discourage contact with the media. B. Sequential Photo Lineup: When presenting a sequential photo lineup, the lineup administrator or investigator should: 1. Provide viewing instructions to the witness as outlined in subsection I B, above. 2. Provide the following additional viewing instructions to the witness: a. Individual photographs will be viewed one at a time. b. The photos are in random order. c. Take as much time as needed in making a decision about each photo before moving to the next one. d. All photos will be shown, even if an identification is made prior to viewing all photos; or the procedure will be stopped at the point of an identification (consistent with jurisdictional/departmental procedures). 3. Confirm that the witness understands the nature of the sequential procedure. 4. Present each photo to the witness separately, in a previously determined order, removing those previously shown. 5. Avoid saying anything to the witness that may influence the witness' selection. 6. If an identification is made, avoid reporting to the witness any information regarding the individual he or she has selected prior to obtaining the witness' statement of certainty. 7. Record any identification results and witness' statement of certainty as outlined in subsection II E, Recording Identification Results. 8. Document in writing the lineup procedure, including: a. Identification information and sources of all photos used. b. Names of all persons present at the photo lineup. c. Date and time of the identification procedure. 9. Instruct the witness not to discuss the identification procedure or its results with other witnesses involved in the case and discourage contact with the media. C. Simultaneous Live Lineup: When presenting a simultaneous live lineup, the lineup administrator or investigator should: 1. Provide viewing instructions to the witness as outlined in subsection I B, above. 2. Instruct all those present at the lineup not to suggest in any way the position or identity of the suspect in the lineup. 3. Ensure that any identification actions ( e.g., speaking, moving, etc.) are performed by all members of the lineup. 4. Avoid saying anything to the witness that may influence the witness' selection. 5. If an identification is made, avoid reporting to the witness any information regarding the individual he or she has selected prior to obtaining the witness' statement of certainty. 6. Record any identification results and witness' statement of certainty as outlined in subsection II E, Recording Identification Results. 7. Document in writing the lineup procedure, including: a. Identification information of lineup participants. b. Names of all persons present at the lineup. c. Date and time of the identification procedure. 8. Document the lineup by photo or video. This documentation should be of a quality that represents the lineup clearly and fairly. 9. Instruct the witness not to discuss the identification procedure or its results with other witnesses involved in the case and discourage contact with the media. D. Sequential Live Lineup: When presenting a sequential live lineup, the lineup administrator or investigator should: 1. Provide viewing instructions to the witness as outlined in subsection I B, above. 2. Provide the following additional viewing instructions to the witness: a. Individuals will be viewed one at a time. b. The individuals will be presented in random order. c. Take as much time as needed in making a decision about each individual before moving to the next one. d. If the person who committed the crime is present, identify him or her. e. All individuals will be presented, even if an identification is made prior to viewing all the individuals; or the procedure will be stopped at the point of an identification (consistent with jurisdictional/departmental procedures). 3. Begin with all lineup participants out of the view of the witness. 4. Instruct all those present at the lineup not to suggest in any way the position or identity of the suspect in the lineup. 5. Present each individual to the witness separately, in a previously determined order, removing those previously shown. 6. Ensure that any identification action ( e.g., speaking, moving, etc.) are performed by all members of the lineup. 7. Avoid saying anything to the witness that may influence the witness' selection. 8. If an identification is made, avoid reporting to the witness any information regarding the individual he or she has selected prior to obtaining the witness' statement of certainty. 9. Record any identification results and witness' statement of certainty as outlined in subsection II E, Recording Identification Results. 10. Document in writing the lineup procedure, including: a. Identification information of lineup participants. b. Names of all persons present at the lineup. c. Date and time the identification procedure was conducted. 11. Document the lineup by photo or video. This documentation should be of a quality that represents the lineup clearly and fairly. Photo documentation can either depict the group or each individual. 12. Instruct the witness not to discuss the identification procedure or its results with other witnesses involved in the case and discourage contact with the media. E. Recording Identification Results When conducting an identification procedure, the lineup administrator or investigator shall preserve the outcome of the procedure by documenting any identification or nonidentification results obtained from the witness. Preparing a complete and accurate record of the outcome of the identification procedure is crucial. This record can be a critical document in the investigation and any subsequent court proceedings. When conducting an identification procedure, the lineup administrator or investigator should: 1. Record both identification and nonidentification results in writing, including the witness' own words regarding how sure he or she is. 2. Ensure that the results are signed and dated by the witness. 3. Ensure that no materials indicating previous identification results are visible to the witness. 4. Ensure that the witness does not write on or mark any materials that will be used in other identification procedures. Dated: April 18, 2001, effective no later than the 180th day from this date.