Identification Lineups Research Articles

In their own words: Verbalizations of real eyewitnesses during identification lineups.

In their own words: Verbalizations of real eyewitnesses during identification lineups.

Disentangling Different Aspects of Between-Item Similarity Unveils Evidence Against the Ensemble Model of Lineup Memory

For modeling recognition decisions in a typical eyewitness identification lineup task with multiple simultaneously presented test stimuli (also known as simultaneous detection and identification), essentially two different models based on signal detection theory are currently under consideration. These two models mainly differ with respect to their assumptions regarding the interplay between the memory signals of different stimuli presented in the same lineup. The independent observations model (IOM), on the one hand, assumes that the memory signal of each simultaneously presented test stimulus is separately assessed by the decision-maker, whereas the ensemble model (EM), on the other hand, assumes that each of these memory signals is first compared with and then assessed relative to its respective context (i.e., the memory signals of the other stimuli within the same lineup). Here, we discuss some reasons why comparing confidence ratings between trials with and without a dud (i.e., a lure with no systematic resemblance to the target) in an otherwise fair lineup—results of which have been interpreted as evidence in favor of the EM—is in fact inconclusive for differentiating between the EM and the IOM. However, the lack of diagnostic value hinges on the fact that in these experiments two aspects of between-item similarity (viz. old–new and within-lineup similarity) are perfectly confounded. Indeed, if separately manipulating old–new similarity, we demonstrate that EM and IOM make distinct predictions. Following this, we show that previously published data are inconsistent with the predictions made by the EM.

Aktuelne pravne i kriminalističke mogućnosti u sprovođenju postupka prepoznavanja od strane svedoka - komparativna analiza standarda u Nemačkoj i Srbiji

The topic of the paper is comparative scientific research analyzing the possibilities in eyewitness identification procedures in the Federal Republic of Germany and Republic of Serbia, because of the fact that identification is one of the proving actions used in both states. In this paper, what will be considered is the advantages and disadvantages of identification procedures in these states, in order to propose an optimal procedure that would be equally objective and effective both for the witnesses and the suspect. Beside similarities in the implementation of the identification procedure in both states, there are some differences that are essentially based on normative rules, which regulate whether the police have the original authority to carry out this action or whether the authorization of a public prosecutor is required. Also, there are differences in forming the identification lineup and photo array, especially in terms of the number of people or photographs that should be presented to the eyewitness along with the suspect. The scientific justification of this paper is reflected in the fact that eyewitness identification requires clear standards for implementation, so there is a need to create adequate preconditions for using this proving action in criminal proceedings, especially in cases where there is a lack of material evidence.

Multiplicity of human scent signature

BackgroundIn this paper, the term “human scent signature” refers to a group of chemical compounds in a human scent trace that are in certain relative concentrations that make an unambiguous identification of persons possible. At the present time, the scent identification of persons is performed using specially trained canines. However, the scent identification mechanism as well as the molecular composition of the human scent signature is entirely unrecognized. Delimitations of the group of chemical compounds according to their volatilities that specially trained canines use for the scent identification of persons were initially the main aim of this study.MethodsEleven volunteer scent samples were split into three groups of chemical compounds, i.e., into three disjointed scent fractions with different volatilities of the compounds via preparative gas chromatography. The human scent signatures were searched in these separated scent fractions using six specially trained canines (female German Shepherds).ResultsThe canines were able to identify individual persons successfully using different scent fractions. From this fact, it follows that one scent trace can contain more than only one group of scent compounds that can be used for scent identification by the trained canines. This observed phenomenon was named as “the multiplicity of the human scent signature” in this study. The scent identification line-up procedure provided the following results: The poorly volatile fraction resulted in an 85% success rate in the scent identification procedure. The middle fraction resulted in a 58% success rate, and the highly volatile fraction resulted in a 30% success rate.ConclusionsIn this study, it was found that the human scent sample contains more than one group of scent compounds; according to which the trained canines are able to identify human individuals. It means that the human scent sample contains more than only one scent signature. The authors of this research believe that results of this study will open a broad discussion about the multiplicity of the human scent signature, primary scent molecules, optimal canine training, and in general, the scent identification method in many countries.

Evidence for the Belief in Live Lineup Superiority

There are substantive differences in international preferences in the medium through which eyewitness identification lineups are administered, but these jurisdictional preferences are not based on evidence. Regardless of whether one medium produces greater identification accuracy, it is the perception of evidence strength by triers of fact that determines its influence in judicial proceedings. Yet, we know little about how lineup mediums are perceived by potential triers of fact. Four-hundred six undergraduate students viewed a video interview of an eyewitness describing an identification that took place with one of three different lineup mediums (live, video, photo) to compare their relative persuasiveness. Participants also directly compared mediums. There was a clear preference for evidence elicited from live lineups in direct comparisons, but not in the experimental conditions. Live lineup superiority beliefs exist in policy and, these data show, in the beliefs of potential witnesses and triers of fact when various lineup mediums are directly compared.

Supporting child witnesses during identification lineups: Exploring the effectiveness of registered intermediaries.

SummaryPerformance at identification lineup was assessed in eighty‐five 6‐ to 11‐year‐old typically developing children. Children viewed a live staged event involving 2 male actors, and were asked to identify the perpetrators from 2 separate lineups (one perpetrator‐present lineup and one perpetrator‐absent lineup). Half the children took part in lineups adapted by a registered intermediary (an impartial, trained professional who facilitates understanding and communication between vulnerable witnesses and members of the justice system), and half took part in “best‐practice” lineups, according to the current guidance for eyewitness identification in England and Wales. Children receiving assistance from a registered intermediary (relative to children who received best‐practice lineups) were more accurate in their identifications for perpetrator‐present lineups, and there was some evidence that they were also more accurate for perpetrator‐absent lineups. This provides the first empirical evidence for the effectiveness of registered intermediary support during identification lineups.

Configural and component processing in simultaneous and sequential lineup procedures

Configural processing supports accurate face recognition, yet it has never been examined within the context of criminal identification lineups. We tested, using the inversion paradigm, the role of configural processing in lineups. Recent research has found that face discrimination accuracy in lineups is better in a simultaneous compared to a sequential lineup procedure. Therefore, we compared configural processing in simultaneous and sequential lineups to examine whether there are differences. We had participants view a crime video, and then they attempted to identify the perpetrator from a simultaneous or sequential lineup. The test faces were presented either upright or inverted, as previous research has shown that inverting test faces disrupts configural processing. The size of the inversion effect for faces was the same across lineup procedures, indicating that configural processing underlies face recognition in both procedures. Discrimination accuracy was comparable across lineup procedures in both the upright and inversion condition. Theoretical implications of the results are discussed.

Individual human odor fallout as detected by trained canines

We tested the hypothesis that if odor fallout (the release of a human's odor onto an untouched object) in human subjects exists, then holding a hand above an absorbent will produce a detectable scent which will be subsequently matched in a detection test by trained canines. Scents were collected from seven males to sterile cotton absorbent squares. The left hand was used to get the control scent and the right hand served as the target scent. Each experimental subject was sitting; his left hand was laid down on a cotton square for 3min. The right hand was held 5cm above another cotton square for 3min. The scent identification was done by two specially trained police German shepherds. These canines had routinely performed scent identification line-ups as part of criminal investigation procedures. Both canines performed 14 line-ups and correctly matched the collected scents of all test subjects. The results suggest the existence of human odor fallout, whereby a human scent trace is left by humans even if they do not touch an object.

Double Exposure: The Effects of Repeated Identification Lineups on Eyewitness Accuracy

SummaryEyewitnesses may be asked to identify the same suspect from a lineup on successive occasions. This study explored the effects on eyewitness decisions of repeated same‐suspect lineups, within a 2 × 2 × 2 mixed‐model factorial design. Witnesses to a video crime attempted to identify the culprit from two same‐format lineups (simultaneous or sequential) separated by a 2‐week retention interval (Lineup1, Lineup2) in which a suspect (guilty or innocent) was common to the lineups. We predicted two components of a posited repeated lineup effect: that positive identification errors made at the first lineup would be carried forward rather than corrected at the second lineup and that the number of false identifications of the innocent suspect would rise from first to second lineup. Predictions were supported, with a stronger negative impact of repeated lineups for simultaneous than sequential lineups. Additionally, witnesses who made selections of the guilty suspect and of the innocent suspect at Lineup2 were equally confident and were significantly more confident than witnesses who declined to pick. The results underscore concerns about possible negative outcomes from repeated lineups. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Target-Absent Eyewitness Identification Line-Ups: Why Do Children Like to Choose

Children generally fail to reject target-absent line-ups correctly as not containing the “perpetrator”. This experiment aimed to investigate this issue of higher rate of choosing behaviour in children by offering an alternative selection choice. One hundred and forty-eight children aged six to seven years actively participated in live craft events conducted by an adult male who later became the target to be identified. Supporting the hypotheses, the use of the alternative procedure was found to be significantly associated with the children's ability to reject the line-up correctly when the target was absent. Importantly, this was not accompanied by reduced performance in target-present conditions. Also supporting the hypothesis, children made correct decisions faster than incorrect decisions. The implications of these findings to applied forensic practice are discussed.

The Performance of Eyewitnesses with Intellectual Disabilities on Photographic Identification Line-ups

Despite the large number of people with intellectual disabilities (ID) and the fact they are more likely to be victims and witnesses of crime, only two published studies have investigated their performance on identification line-up parades. In the present study we examined the identification performance of adults with and without ID on both a perpetrator-present and a perpetrator-absent photographic line-up. In addition, we investigated factors that could explain any potential difficulties with identification performance, such as face recognition performance (as measured by a standardised test), eyewitness confidence, understanding of the purpose of a line-up, and memory for non-biased line-up instructions. In comparison with typical adults, participants with ID demonstrated poorer performance across both perpetrator-present and perpetrator-absent photographic line-ups, yet were more confident in the accuracy of their responses. In addition they had poorer face recognition performance, were less likely to understand the purpose of the line-up, and were less likely to remember the non-biased line-up instructions. This pattern of difficulties is discussed in relation to the development of future research and interventions.

Do Characteristics of Faces That Convey Trustworthiness and Dominance Underlie Perceptions of Criminality?

BackgroundThis study tested whether the 2D face evaluation model proposed by Oosterhof and Todorov can parsimoniously account for why some faces are perceived as more criminal-looking than others. The 2D model proposes that trust and dominance are spontaneously evaluated from features of faces. These evaluations have adaptive significance from an evolutionary standpoint because they indicate whether someone should be approached or avoided.MethodParticipants rated the emotional state, personality traits, and criminal appearance of faces shown in photographs. The photographs were of males and females taken under naturalistic conditions (i.e., police mugshots) and highly controlled conditions. In the controlled photographs, the emotion display of the actor was systematically varied (happy expression, emotionally neutral expression, or angry expression).ResultsBoth male and female faces rated high in criminal appearance were perceived as less trustworthy and more dominant in police mugshots as well as in photographs taken under highly controlled conditions. Additionally, emotionally neutral faces were deemed as less trustworthy if they were perceived as angry, and more dominant if they were morphologically mature. Systematically varying emotion displays also affected criminality ratings, with angry faces perceived as the most criminal, followed by neutral faces and then happy faces.ConclusionThe 2D model parsimoniously accounts for criminality perceptions. This study extends past research by demonstrating that morphological features that signal high dominance and low trustworthiness can also signal high criminality. Spontaneous evaluations regarding criminal propensity may have adaptive value in that they may help us to avoid someone who is physically threatening. On the other hand, such evaluations could inappropriately influence decision making in criminal identification lineups. Hence, additional research is needed to discover whether and how people can avoid making evaluations regarding criminality from a person’s facial appearance.

Do Trained Dogs Discriminate Individual Body Odors of Women Better than Those of Men?*

Scent identification lineups using dogs are a potentially valuable forensic tool, but have been dismissed by some critics because of cases where a false identification was shown to have occurred. It is not known, however, why dogs appear to make more false indications to the odors of some persons than of others. In this study, human genders were compared as to the degree their individual odors are distinguishable or "attractive" to dogs. Six dogs were trained to smell an individual's hand odor sample and then find the matching hand odor sample in a lineup of five odors. Using one-gender lineups and two-gender lineups with different gender ratios, it was found that dogs trained for the study identified individual women's hand odors more accurately than those of men. It is hypothesized that this is either because of differences in chemical compounds making discrimination of women's odors easier, or because of greater "odor attractiveness" of women's scents to dogs.

Eye tracking and eyewitness memory

For more than a century psychologists have utilized eye tracking as a window into how we think and how we feel, and to test theories of the mind and its mental processes. A range of forensic topics has been investigated with eye tracking, such as the effect of weapon exposure (e.g., Hope & Wright, 2008), visual attention in anti-social personality disorder (e.g., Ceballos & Bauer, 2004), and the role of expertise in deception detection (Bond, 2008). Recently, researchers have begun to use eye tracking to study eyewitness decision processes in criminal lineup identification (e.g., Mansour, Lindsay, Brewer, & Munhall, 2009). This paper reviews the application of eye tracking technology in criminal identification lineup research and discusses issues that arise in translating eye movements to reveal eyewitness decision processes.

Why is my Voice so Easily Recognized in Identity Parades? Influence of First Impressions on Voice Identification

This study examines people's first impressions of voices of various ethnic origin and recognizability from identification line-ups. It was hypothesized that voices that were easily recognized would be perceived more negatively than less recognizable ones, fitting the “bad guy” stereotype. Forty English native speakers rated the voices of 12 male speakers for attractiveness, extraversion, dominance, kindness, intelligence, success, goodness, as well as for several voice characteristics (i.e., melody, clarity, nervousness). The recognizability categorization process (low-, medium-, and high-recognizability groups) was determined from accuracy rates collected in a different study. A significant effect for recognizability was found on first impressions. Partially in line with the hypothesis, voices low in recognizability were rated more positively than voices whose recognizability was high. Attributes in which high-recognizability voices differed significantly from the other voices concerned nervousness, morality, and social desirability. Practical recommendations are given for real-life voice identification line-ups.

Temporal Limitation of Navon Effect on Face Recognition

Performance on a face identification line-up task is impaired if an intervening task involved processing the local features of a Navon stimulus rather than its global features. These results have only been shown in comparison with a reading task in line-up paradigms. In Exp. 1 undergraduates (3 men, 17 women, M age =19 yr., selected by convenience) were tested in a replication of this Navon-effect using a recognition paradigm. The effect is observed only during the early part of the recognition test phase. In Exp. 2 analysis of undergraduates' responses (9 men, 20 women, M age =19, selected by convenience) showed the decrease in the Navon effect could be prevented by alternating the Navon task with the face recognition task.

Aiding the Performance of Older Eyewitnesses: Enhanced Non-Biased Line-Up Instructions and Line-Up Presentation

The study examined possible methods for improving the performance of older eyewitnesses on identification line-ups. Young and old adults viewed a simulated crime event involving a young and old perpetrator, and were subsequently asked to identify these two perpetrators from line-ups that were either target present (TP) or target absent (TA). Research conducted by the present authors indicates that older adults have significant problems with remembering instructions informing them that the perpetrator may or may not be present in the line-up and this may contribute to the age deficit in line-up performance. Therefore, in the present study, prior to the line-ups, half the participants received enhanced non-biased line-up instructions. Furthermore, the performance age deficit demonstrated by older adults in previous relevant studies is largely characterised by an increase in false identifications. The sequential line-up is known to reduce false identifications. Therefore, half the participants viewed line-ups that were presented sequentially and half viewed line-ups that were presented simultaneously. Older participants were found overall to demonstrate poorer line-up performance compared to younger participants. Though enhanced line-up instructions led to significantly better memory concerning the possibility the perpetrator may or may not be present in the line-up, they had no significant effect on line-up performance. Line-up presentation (sequential vs. simultaneous) had differential effects across conditions, with sequential presentation not always being beneficial.

The effect of the ageing of crime scene objects on the results of scent identification line-ups using trained dogs

In a scent identification line-up, a trained dog matches the scent trace left by a perpetrator at the crime scene to the odour of a suspect in a line-up of different odours. The procedures are strictly defined and the results are routinely used by the police and as evidence in court in a number of European countries. This paper describes the effect of ageing of the odour trace collected at the crime scene on the performance of the dogs in recognising the perpetrator in a line-up. The results show that whilst the dogs perform faultlessly in matching odours collected on the same day, the results drop to a lower level and become more variable in the period studied (2 weeks to 6 months). However, the results do not show a systematic decrease in performance. A possible explanation is the development of a steady state in the glass jars containing the perpetrator odour trace after initial differential evaporation of components of the residue or break down of unsaturated components into saturated ones. Prevention of this initial change may prevent the drop in performance observed in this study, thus increasing the reliability of these scent identifications.

A NATIONAL SURVEY OF US POLICE ON PREPARATION AND CONDUCT OF IDENTIFICATION LINEUPS

A great deal of research has been aimed at identifying the factors that produce errors in eyewitness identification. However, most of this work has been conducted in laboratory environments using undergraduates and naive lay persons as research participants. Little information is available on what police officers do in the course of their identification activities. The present research investigated the procedures that police officers report employing when constructing and administering eyewitness identification lineups. We developed a survey that addresses a number of these issues, including experience, sources of lineup foils, lineup formation and display, lineup fairness evaluation, presence of suspect's attorney, witness instructions, historical records, and legal challenges. Surveys were sent to 500 US police jurisdictions; 220 were returned. Several survey items showed results consistent with previous laboratory research, however police officers reported using some procedures that are different from those established as most effective in the research literature. This paper summarizes the results of our survey and discusses the implications for future research and forensic procedures.

Eyewitness Identification: Guidelines and Recommendations for Identification Procedures in the United States and in Canada.

Abstract Innocent people are convicted each year because of mistaken eyewitness identification. This paper addresses both historical and more contemporary perspectives on the possible limitations of eyewitness identification. The primary purpose of this article is to describe some of the attempts made to protect the fact-finding process from misidentifications. The development and nature of guidelines and recommendations for the design and administration of identification lineups in the United States and in Canada are described. It has been estimated that approximately 4,500 innocent people are convicted each year in the United States because of mistaken eyewitness identification (Cutler & Penrod, 1995). Corresponding estimations have not been made for Canada but criminal misidentifications and wrongful convictions are not unique to the United States. The primary purpose of this paper is to describe some of the attempts in the United States and in Canada to protect the fact-finding process from misidentifications. Older Perspectives Recognition of problems underlying eyewitness memory is not new. Thucydides, an ancient historian of the Peloponnesian war (431-404 BC), noted a want of coincidence between accounts of the same occurrences by different eyewitnesses, arising sometimes from imperfect mcmuiy, sometimes from undue partiality for one side or the other (cited in Levine & Tapp, 1973, p. 1088). Two centuries ago, a legal scholar writing in a handbook of criminal law and criminal politics stated: ... the identification procedure has to be preceded by a comprehensive interrogation of the witness, wherein he is to describe the characteristic features which could facilitate recognition of the persons or objects to which his testimony or statements refer. Thereafter, in the identification procedure itself, he is, whenever possible, to be confronted with several persons or objects resembling the one to be identified. He should be urged to point out, for example, the identified object, without hesitation, and also to give the reasons why he had identified this one as the real one instead of any of the others ... On the one hand, the investigator has to take care, to the best of his ability, to remove any changes that may have occurred in the object to be recognized and that may thus impair recognition: therefore, for example, he must not present the accused in his prison clothes, or with a distorting beard, etc. On the other hand, the investigator must beware of drawing the witness's attention to the correct object through facial expressions, gestures, or external signs that differentiate the object in question from others. (Henke, 1838, pp. 705-706; translation by Sporer, 1982) The Dawn of the 20th Century Although research interest in eyewitness testimony and identification escalated throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the empirical evidence and recommendations made by eyewitness researchers on how lineups should be designed and administered has had limited impact on the practices and decisions of the police and the courts until very recently (see Wells, Malpass, Lindsay, Fisher, Turtle, & Fulero, 2000). At the dawn of the 20th century several psychologists (e.g., Binet, 1900; Bolton, 1896; Cattell, 1895; Munsterberg, 1908; Stern, 1902, 1910; Whipple, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912) scientifically investigated the foundations and application of cognitive processes to legal issues. That is, they conducted applied experimental studies on perception and memory, suggestibility, confessions, lie detection, and hypnotism. Munsterberg (1908), in particular, was quite outspoken about the relevancy and application of his experiments on sensation, perception, and memory to better the court's understandings of eyewitness testimony. Munsterberg's complaints that the courts were unappreciative and unreasonable in not accepting the contributions of experimental psychology did not go unnoticed. …