SEQUENTIAL LINEUP PRESENTATION - TECHNIQUE MATTERS

Lindsay and Wells (1985) demonstrated that sequential lineup presentation was superior to simultaneous presentation. However, these benefits may have been dependent on specifics of the procedure used. Three experiments were conducted to test the influence on eyewitness accuracy of (a) a "second chance" after viewing a sequential lineup (Ns = 180 and 32) and (b) prior knowledge of lineup size (N = 254). When photos were presented simultaneously, a second opportunity to choose decreased correct rejection decisions and increased false identifications without increasing the correct identification rate. However, a second sequential presentation did not lead to significant changes in identification decisions. Knowledge of the number of lineup members in a sequential lineup increased selections of an innocent suspect. Witnesses viewing sequential lineups should not be aware of the number of faces to be presented and should not be allowed to view the lineup more than once.