In a showup, what should be documented along with identification and non-identification?

In a showup, what should be documented along with identification and non-identification?

• A. The approximate level of witness confidence
• B. All statements made by the victim or witness
• C. Only successful identifications
• D. The behavior of the suspect during the showup

Answer: (B)

The most comprehensive aspect of a showup is to document all statements made by the victim or witness. This serves several important purposes. First, it helps establish the context of the identification process, including the witness's motivations and feelings at the time of the showup. Second, it provides crucial evidence regarding the reliability of the identification, as witness statements may reveal their confidence level or any doubts they may have had. Such documentation can be valuable for both the investigation and any legal proceedings that may follow. Including only successful identifications does not capture the complete picture of the identification process, as non-identification outcomes can be equally significant in evaluating the validity of witness testimony. Documenting witness confidence levels and the behavior of the suspect are important, but these factors alone do not encompass the entire narrative that witness statements can provide. Thus, the best practice is to record everything the victim or witness states during the showup to ensure a thorough and accurate account of the identification process.

The most comprehensive aspect of a showup is to document all statements made by the victim or witness. This serves several important purposes. First, it helps establish the context of the identification process, including the witness's motivations and feelings at the time of the showup. Second, it provides crucial evidence regarding the reliability of the identification, as witness statements may reveal their confidence level or any doubts they may have had. Such documentation can be valuable for both the investigation and any legal proceedings that may follow.

Including only successful identifications does not capture the complete picture of the identification process, as non-identification outcomes can be equally significant in evaluating the validity of witness testimony. Documenting witness confidence levels and the behavior of the suspect are important, but these factors alone do not encompass the entire narrative that witness statements can provide. Thus, the best practice is to record everything the victim or witness states during the showup to ensure a thorough and accurate account of the identification process.