MCOLES State Licensing Practice Exam

What is the proper procedure for identification of a suspect by a witness?

1. Take the suspect to the witness

2. Take the witness to the suspect

3. Conduct identification at the police station

4. Use photographs for witness identification

The correct answer is: Take the witness to the suspect

The proper procedure for identification of a suspect by a witness is to take the witness to the suspect. This method is preferable because it minimizes the risk of leading the witness or contaminating their identification process. When the witness is brought directly to the suspect, it provides a more reliable context for the identification. In this procedure, the officer must ensure that the witness is not influenced by outside factors and that the identification process is as fair and unbiased as possible. This approach also reduces the chances of a misidentification, which can occur if a witness is shown a photo array or lineup that suggests certain individuals are more likely to be the suspect. Other methods, such as conducting identification at the police station or using photographs, can sometimes lead to complications, such as stress being placed on witnesses, or influencing their decision due to the way the lineup or photograph presentation is structured. When directly bringing the witness to the suspect, it maintains the integrity of the identification process.