During a show-up procedure, which action should be avoided to prevent confirmation bias in victim identification?

During a show-up procedure, which action should be avoided to prevent confirmation bias in victim identification?

• A. Use leading questions to speed identification
• B. Do not talk or act in a manner that would create confirmation bias with the victim in regard to their ID of a suspect
• C. Prompt the victim to identify a suspect as quickly as possible
• D. Show multiple suspects in rapid succession

Answer: (B)

Neutral, non-suggestive conduct during a show-up is essential to prevent confirmation bias. The action to avoid is talking or acting in any way that could influence the witness’s identification of a suspect. When an officer hints, signals approval, or otherwise cues the witness, the witness may identify someone because of the examiner’s cues rather than because that person is the perpetrator. This means avoiding leading questions, not pressuring the witness to decide quickly, and not presenting suspects in a way that invites a relative comparison or hints at the “right” choice. Keeping the interaction neutral helps ensure the witness’s identification reflects their memory rather than the officer’s guidance.

Neutral, non-suggestive conduct during a show-up is essential to prevent confirmation bias. The action to avoid is talking or acting in any way that could influence the witness’s identification of a suspect. When an officer hints, signals approval, or otherwise cues the witness, the witness may identify someone because of the examiner’s cues rather than because that person is the perpetrator.

This means avoiding leading questions, not pressuring the witness to decide quickly, and not presenting suspects in a way that invites a relative comparison or hints at the “right” choice. Keeping the interaction neutral helps ensure the witness’s identification reflects their memory rather than the officer’s guidance.