MCOLES State Licensing Practice Exam

True or False. During a photo lineup, the suspect's name should be on the photo.

1. True

2. False

3. It depends on the case

4. Only if requested by the attorney

The correct answer is: False

In a photo lineup, it is critically important that the suspect's name is not included on the photo shown to the witness. This is to prevent any potential bias or suggestion that could influence the witness's identification. When a witness is trying to recall the suspect, having the name on the photo could lead them to formulate an idea based on the name rather than their memory of the actual event or person. The purpose of a photo lineup is to ensure a fair and unbiased process, where the witness is assessing the images based solely on their recognition and recall. Adding names to photos could inadvertently guide the witness’s decision-making process, compromising the integrity of the identification and affecting the case's reliability. This adherence to fair practices is crucial in the judicial process to ensure justice.