Show-ups

Show-ups, in a legal or investigative context, refer to a method of identification where a single suspect is presented to a witness (or victim) to determine if they can identify that person as the perpetrator of a crime. This contrasts with lineups, which involve a group of individuals. The reliability of show-ups is often questioned due to their suggestive nature, potentially leading to misidentification. They're usually conducted soon after the crime, when memory is fresher, to prevent suspects from attempting to alter their appearance. Procedural guidelines and legal considerations are paramount to ensure fairness and avoid undue pressure on the witness.

Show-ups meaning with examples

• The police conducted a show-up with the robbery victim, presenting the apprehended suspect at the scene shortly after the incident. The victim was asked if they recognized the individual, hoping for a quick identification of the person involved.
• After the car theft, the detective organized a show-up at the impound lot. The owner of the car was brought to view the suspect and determine whether they recognized him as the one who stole their vehicle, without the suspect's counsel present.
• The defense attorney argued the show-up was unduly suggestive, as the suspect was the only person in the holding cell. They claimed the procedure unfairly influenced the witness’s recollection, which led to bias in the decision to take the case to trial.
• The eyewitness failed to identify the suspect in the show-up. This lack of identification cast doubt on the investigation, prompting the police to explore other potential leads in the case, due to the questionable validity of the single-person approach.
• Due to a strong alibi, even with a positive identification from the show-up, the suspect was released. They were given that opportunity to leave after police reviewed the show-up evidence to verify their whereabouts at the time of the crime.