Eyewitness accuracy rates in police showup and lineup presentations: A meta-analytic comparison.

Abstract

Meta-analysis is used to compare identification accuracy rates in showups and lineups. Eight papers were located, providing 12 tests of the hypothesis and including 3013 participants. Results indicate that showups generate lower choosing rates than lineups. In target present conditions, showups and lineups yield approximately equal hit rates, and in target absent conditions, showups produce a significantly higher level of correct rejections. False identification rates are approximately equal in showups and lineups when lineup foil choices are excluded from analysis. Dangerous false identifications are more numerous for showups when an innocent suspect resembles the perpetrator. Function of lineup foils, assessment strategies for false identifications, and the potential impact of biases in lineup practice are suggested as additional considerations in evaluation of showup versus lineup efficacy.

Live Showups and Their Influence on a Subsequent Video Line‐up

“…A metaanalysis of earlier research found that the rate of selection is lower in showups than in lineups, but result in similar rates of correct identifications in culprit-present trials (Steblay et al, 2003). Collapsed across Experiments 1-3 the results are consistent with this conclusion.…”

“…The data suggest that identification is more effective from a video identification procedure, whether it is a showup or a lineup, than from a live showup. In contrast, previous research has found that correct culprit-present identification rates in showups and lineups are similar (Steblay et al, 2003). However, in most of the previous research, photograph showups and photograph lineups have been used.…”

“…Reviewing the literature, Cutler et al (1994) concluded that the test media has only a limited influence on outcomes. Choosing rates tend to be lower in photograph showups than in photograph lineups although this results in similar levels of correct culprit selections (Steblay et al, 2003).…”

“…In England and Wales, over 20,000 suspects per annum are estimated to be charged or cautioned after being identified from a showup (Davis, et al, submitted). However, it has been argued that a live showup is an inherently suggestive procedure, and that a lineup should be used to provide a safeguard against the risk of a mistaken identification (Dysart & Lindsay, 2007a;Steblay et al, 2003;Wolchover & Heaton-Armstrong, 2004).…”

“…A meta-analysis of eight US empirical studies identified 12 comparisons of showups and lineups of which 11 involved photograph showups and photograph lineups (Steblay et al, 2003). In culprit-present trials, an identification (of the culprit or a foil) was made to 71% of six-person lineups.…”