Legal Definitions - lineup

A lineup is a formal procedure used by law enforcement during a criminal investigation. In this process, a suspect, who is typically already in police custody, is placed among a group of other individuals who share similar physical characteristics. A witness or victim of a crime is then asked to view this group and attempt to identify the person they believe committed the offense.

The primary purpose of a lineup is to test the reliability of a witness's identification and to gather evidence. Because this procedure is a critical step in a criminal case, strict legal rules apply to ensure fairness and protect the suspect's rights, including the right to have an attorney present during certain stages of the lineup.

Here are some examples illustrating how a lineup works:

• Example 1: Robbery Identification

  After a convenience store robbery, the clerk provides police with a detailed description of the perpetrator. A few days later, police apprehend a suspect who matches that description. To confirm the clerk's identification, police arrange a lineup. The suspect is placed alongside five other men of similar age, height, and build. The clerk is then brought in and asked if they can identify the person who robbed the store from the group. This process helps determine if the clerk can reliably pick out the suspect.

• Example 2: Witness to an Assault

  A bystander witnesses a violent assault in a public park and calls the police, providing a description of the attacker. Based on this and other evidence, police later detain an individual. To verify the bystander's account, they are asked to attend a lineup. The suspect is presented with several other individuals who closely resemble him. The bystander is then asked to point out anyone they recognize as the assailant. This demonstrates how a lineup can be used to corroborate witness testimony from someone who was not the direct victim.

• Example 3: Burglary with Limited Observation

  A homeowner wakes up to find an intruder in their living room but only gets a brief glimpse of the person's back as they flee. The homeowner can only provide a general description of the intruder's build and clothing. When police later arrest a suspect based on other evidence, they arrange a lineup. The suspect is included with several other individuals who fit the general description provided by the homeowner. The homeowner is then asked if they can identify anyone in the lineup as the person they saw. This scenario highlights how a lineup can be used to test the reliability of even a limited or fleeting identification.