Legal Definitions - Showup

A Showup is a type of identification procedure used by law enforcement, typically conducted shortly after a crime has occurred. In a showup, a witness to a crime is presented with only one individual—the suspect—and asked to confirm if that person is the perpetrator they saw. This method is distinct from a lineup, where a witness views multiple individuals, only one of whom is the suspect. Showups are often used when a suspect is apprehended quickly near the scene of a crime, but they have faced criticism due to concerns about their potential for leading to mistaken identification.

• Example 1: Robbery Identification

  A convenience store clerk reports a robbery, providing a detailed description of the perpetrator. Within minutes, police apprehend a person matching the description a few blocks away. Officers then bring the apprehended individual back to the store. The clerk is asked to look at only this person and confirm whether he was the one who committed the robbery.

  This illustrates a showup because the witness (the clerk) is presented with a single suspect for immediate identification, typically close in time and proximity to the incident.

• Example 2: Assault Victim Identification

  A person is assaulted in a park and provides police with a description of their attacker. An hour later, officers locate a person fitting the description hiding in nearby bushes. The police then transport the victim to the location where the suspect was found. The victim is then presented with only the apprehended individual and asked if this is the person who assaulted them.

  This scenario demonstrates a showup where the victim (witness) is presented with a sole individual (the suspect) for identification, often soon after the event, to determine if they are the person involved in the reported crime.

• Example 3: Witness to Vandalism

  A homeowner discovers their car has been vandalized and reports it to the police. A neighbor tells officers they saw someone spray-painting the car and provides a description. Police quickly locate a person matching the description carrying spray paint cans a few streets away. The police then bring the suspect to the neighbor's house. The neighbor is asked to view only this person and confirm if they are the individual seen vandalizing the car.

  This is a showup because the witness (the neighbor) is shown a single suspect shortly after the crime and asked for an identification, aiming for a quick confirmation of the perpetrator.