Which principle ensures fairness in a lineup?

Which principle ensures fairness in a lineup?

• A. Shown by a prosecutor
• B. Presented by a detective who knows the suspect
• C. Shown to multiple witnesses at once
• D. Should be conducted by an officer who does not know the suspect

Answer: (D)

Neutral administration of a lineup is what keeps identification fair. When the person conducting the lineup does not know who the suspect is, they cannot unintentionally cue the witness or introduce expectations about who should be chosen. This helps prevent bias and supports a reliable identification, which is crucial for due process. If a prosecutor runs the lineup, or a detective who knows the suspect conducts it, bias can creep in through expectations or inadvertent cues. And showing the lineup to multiple witnesses at once can invite cross-witness influence or relative judgment, where witnesses compare everyone in the lineup rather than relying on their own memory.

Neutral administration of a lineup is what keeps identification fair. When the person conducting the lineup does not know who the suspect is, they cannot unintentionally cue the witness or introduce expectations about who should be chosen. This helps prevent bias and supports a reliable identification, which is crucial for due process.

If a prosecutor runs the lineup, or a detective who knows the suspect conducts it, bias can creep in through expectations or inadvertent cues. And showing the lineup to multiple witnesses at once can invite cross-witness influence or relative judgment, where witnesses compare everyone in the lineup rather than relying on their own memory.