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Daily Training Bulletin
DTB Date:
Eyewitness Identification
1 Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/09/22, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
Department
Eyewitness Identification
Topic: Investigations and Enforcement
DTB Date:
SCENARIO:
You have detained a suspect in a smash-and-grab theft from a store window. Officer
Tomas Jelen is bringing the eyewitness, Ramona Doubek, to your location for a field
elimination show-up.
As you await Ms. Doubek's arrival, it seems increasingly likely that you have detained the correct
subject. Benjamin Kroll’s identification puts him at 5 feet 7 inches tall, and he is wearing clothing
similar to the description Ms. Doubek provided. Mr. Kroll has been cooperative so far and has
consented to a pat-down search. However, he seems overly nervous, and if he is the correct
suspect, he committed a serious offense.
ISSUE: Under these circumstances, should you handcuff Mr. Kroll before the field
elimination show-up?
REFER:
610.8 FIELD IDENTIFICATION CONSIDERATIONS
Field identifications, also known as field elimination show-ups or one-on-one identifications, may
be helpful in certain cases, where exigent circumstances make it impracticable to conduct a photo
or live lineup identifications. A field elimination show-up or one-on-one identification should not be
used when independent probable cause exists to arrest a suspect. In such cases a live or photo
lineup is the preferred course of action if eyewitness identification is contemplated.
When initiating a field identification, the member should observe the following guidelines:
(a)Obtain a complete description of the suspect from the witness.
(b)Assess whether a witness should be included in a field identification process by considering:
1.The length of time the witness observed the suspect.
2.The distance between the witness and the suspect.
3.Whether the witness could view the suspect’s face.
4.The quality of the lighting when the suspect was observed by the witness.
5.Whether there were distracting noises or activity during the observation.
6.Any other circumstances affecting the witness’s opportunity to observe the suspect.
7.The length of time that has elapsed since the witness observed the suspect.
(c)If safe and practicable, the person who is the subject of the show-up should not be
handcuffed or in a patrol vehicle.
San Luis Obispo Police Department
Daily Training Bulletin
DTB Date:
Eyewitness Identification
2 Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/09/22, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
Department
(d)When feasible, members should bring the witness to the location of the subject of the show-
up, rather than bring the subject of the show-up to the witness.
(e)The person who is the subject of the show-up should not be shown to the same witness
more than once.
(f)In cases involving multiple suspects, witnesses should only be permitted to view the subjects
of the show-up one at a time.
(g)The person who is the subject of the show-up should not be required to put on clothing worn
by the suspect, to speak words uttered by the suspect or to perform other actions mimicking
those of the suspect.
(h)If a witness positively identifies a subject of the show-up as the suspect, members should
not conduct any further field identifications with other witnesses for that suspect. In such
instances members should document the contact information for any additional witnesses
for follow up, if necessary.
ANALYSIS:
In any suspect identification process, it is important to avoid procedures or conduct
that could influence the identification or suggest the detained suspect is guilty.
Presenting a handcuffed suspect to a witness for an identification could influence the
identification. Since Mr. Kroll has been cooperative and you have searched him for
weapons, it may be practicable to leave him unrestrained during the identification.
CONCLUSION:
If safe and practicable, Mr. Kroll should not be handcuffed during the field elimination show-up.
QUESTION:
If safe and practicable, the person who is the subject of a show-up should not be handcuffed
during the field elimination show-up.
ANSWERS:
(a)True
(b)False
CORRECT ANSWER:
True