What best describes eyewitness identification best practices?

• A. Let the administrator choose the suspect.
• B. Inform witnesses which person is the suspect.
• C. Use proper lineup procedures, blinding of administrators, minimal administrator influence, and clear instructions to witnesses.
• D. Conduct lineup without any instructions.

Answer: (C)

Eyewitness identification is most trustworthy when bias is actively prevented during the lineup. The best practice combines fair lineup procedures, a double-blind setup, minimal influence from the administrator, and clear, neutral instructions to the witness. Fair lineup procedures ensure the suspect doesn’t stand out and that fillers resemble the witness’s description. A double-blind approach means the person administering the lineup doesn’t know who the suspect is, so they can’t unintentionally cue the witness. Minimizing administrator influence prevents any tone, reactions, or comments from steering the witness’s choice. Clear instructions should emphasize that the suspect may or may not be in the lineup, that the witness should rely on their memory, and that there’s no pressure to identify someone. Together, these elements reduce bias and improve the accuracy of identifications.

Choosing the suspect, or telling the witness who the suspect is beforehand, or conducting a lineup without any instructions, all introduce bias or uncertainty that can distort memory, which is why they’re not best practices.