Creating Blind Photoarrays Using Virtual Human Technology

Abstract

This article examined the feasibility of a computer-based program that alleviates the human resource challenge associated with blind photoarrays (photoarrays in which the investigator is blind to the suspect’s identity). Students watched videotaped crimes and attempted to identify the perpetrators from photoarays conducted by a “virtual officer” who responds to simple voice commands or by research assistants playing the role of investigators. The student investigators and virtual officer produced comparable identification performance and student reactions to the photoarray procedures. Results of this evaluation study are encouraging, and the authors recommend further laboratory and field testing of the virtual officer technology for conducting blind lineups.

Undermining position effects in choices from arrays, with implications for police lineups.

“…Although a modified array for lineup photographs represents a departure from established identification test procedures, it would not be a difficult one to implement. In many jurisdictions, computer administration of lineups has become commonplace (e.g., Cutler, Daugherty, Babu, Hodges, Van Wallendael, 2009).…”

“…Although a modified array for lineup photographs represents a departure from established identification test procedures, it would not be a difficult one to implement. In many jurisdictions, computer administration of lineups has become com-monplace (e.g., Cutler, Daugherty, Babu, Hodges, & Van Wallendael, 2009). Lineup administrators would require no extra training, and the minimal costs involved make the use of modified arrays worthy of consideration as a measure for reducing errors.…”

Showups versus lineups: An evaluation using ROC analysis.

“…If a new showup procedure can be developed that is better than lineups at a short delay, or no worse at a long delay, police should utilize showups given how much easier they are to administer. Alternatively, we can develop lineup techniques for use in the field (see Cutler, Daugherty, Babu, Hodges, & Van Wallendael, 2009, for an example of computerized unbiased lineup procedures). More research will be needed to make this determination.…”

Refining the blank line‐up procedure: How should we instruct eyewitnesses?

“…The blank lineup procedure has received little attention from researchers and has not come into common use in police investigations, perhaps in part because at the time of development, there were practical constraints on the ability of investigators to locate suitable fillers for an extra lineup (Lindsay & Wells, 1985). However, there is legal precedent for courts to uphold a suspect's request for a blank lineup procedure to be used (Hibel, 2006;United States v Crouch, 1979;United States v Tyler, 1989), and the increasing availability of large databases of filler photographs and the use of computer-administered photo-or videolineups (e.g., Cutler, Daugherty, Babu, Hodges, & Van Wallendael, 2009;Memon, Harvard, This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.…”

“…However, there is legal precedent for courts to uphold a suspect's request for a blank line‐up procedure to be used (Hibel, 2006; United States v Crouch, 1979; United States v Tyler, 1989), and the increasing availability of large databases of filler photographs and the use of computer‐administered photo‐ or video‐line‐ups (e.g. Cutler, Daugherty, Babu, Hodges, & Van Wallendael, 2009; Memon, Havard, Clifford, Gabbert, & Watt, 2011) mean that procedures involving multiple line‐ups are now much more feasible for use in police investigations (Palmer, Brewer, & Weber, 2012).…”