Photographic Lineups

A police officer’s duties include preparing photographic lineups— they are an invaluable tool in solving cases. Combining Risk Effective Decision Making with a sound, fair, and consistent process in the creation and administration, and documentation of these steps, photographic lineups can be yet another welcome tool in the investigative toolbox. Recent court cases, along with the Sophonow Inquiry, have emphasized the need for improvements to procedures for photographic lineups.

Completing this module, you will build your knowledge of photographic lineups, teach you how to prepare a reliable and fair lineup, how to evaluate a photographic lineup, and have you examine how your actions can impact cases and thus, future implications.

This course is part of the Alberta Investigative Skills Education Program (ISEP) level 200.

When you have completed this course you will be able to:

• Recall the historical background to pertinent cases.
• Explain the need for a reliable and fair procedure.
• Prepare a reliable and fair photographic lineup.
• Conduct a photographic lineup according to the Sophonow recommendations.
• Explain the photographic lineup procedure to each witness.
• Record all comments and statements in writing or by video, audio.
• Construct a photographic lineup according to the Sophonow recommendations.
• Modify the photographic lineup and improve the consistency of the fillers.
• Evaluate the quality of the photographic lineup.
• Record notes abou the photographic lineup for future use.
• Recall details of creating and presenting a photographic lineup.
• Identify situations where an ethical choice needs to be made.
• Evaluate your actions and understanding future implications.

Target Audience

Sworn Police, Government and Other First Responders

Content Provider

Content for this course was provided by Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police (AACP).