Which statement about lineup administration is true?

Which statement about lineup administration is true?

• A. The lineup must contain at least 6 photos
• B. The lineup must be administered by the officer who knows the suspect
• C. The lineup should be presented by the suspect publicly
• D. The witness should be prompted to pick a particular photo

Answer: (C)

Lineup administration is about ensuring a fair, unbiased identification. A lineup should be shown in a setting where the process is observable and verifiable, with the suspect included in the lineup. Presenting the lineup openly to witnesses (and in the presence of others who can oversee the process) helps deter tampering and coaching, and it supports accountability. This transparency is why presenting the lineup publicly is considered the true practice. In practice, the witness should be free to choose any photo that matches their memory, without being guided to pick a specific one. The lineup is not tied to a fixed minimum number of photos across all jurisdictions, and the administrator should be neutral and not the person who knows which photo is the suspect, to avoid bias. Choosing or coaching toward a particular photo would undermine the reliability of the identification.

Lineup administration is about ensuring a fair, unbiased identification. A lineup should be shown in a setting where the process is observable and verifiable, with the suspect included in the lineup. Presenting the lineup openly to witnesses (and in the presence of others who can oversee the process) helps deter tampering and coaching, and it supports accountability. This transparency is why presenting the lineup publicly is considered the true practice.

In practice, the witness should be free to choose any photo that matches their memory, without being guided to pick a specific one. The lineup is not tied to a fixed minimum number of photos across all jurisdictions, and the administrator should be neutral and not the person who knows which photo is the suspect, to avoid bias. Choosing or coaching toward a particular photo would undermine the reliability of the identification.