Live Police Lineups: How Do They Work?

This graphic illustrates the differences in live police lineup presentation. In a simultaneous lineup, the witness views all lineup members at the same time. In a sequential lineup, the witness examines lineup members one at a time. In either model, the lineup administrator can be blind, meaning he or she does not know the identity of the suspect, or nonblind, meaning the administrator knows the identity of the suspect. Most U.S. police departments use photo lineups. The same concepts depicted in this graphic—simultaneous and sequential, blind and nonblind—apply in photo lineups.