\"Writing.Com
*Magnify*
SPONSORED LINKS
Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/9328
Mystery: January 16, 2019 Issue [#9328]




 This week: Line them up!
  Edited by: Arakun the twisted raccoon Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Quote for the week: There is absolutely nothing in this world that will provide more comfort and happiness than a testimony of the truth.
~Thomas S. Monson



Word from our sponsor

ASIN: B07N36MHWD
Amazon's Price: $ 7.99


Letter from the editor

Witness testimony is an important part of solving criminal cases, but it is not perfect. Our memories can fail us, especially when we try to recall traumatic events. If a person is standing over you with a gun, for example, you might remember him as being bigger than he actually is. Some times witnesses or victims may not have gotten a good look at the person who committed the crime. It may have been dark, he may have been running away, or he might have had part of his face covered.

When witnesses are shown a suspect and asked if he is the person who committed the crime, they may feel pressure to make a positive identification. People often forget that "suspect" does not automatically mean "guilty party." They might assume that if he is a suspect, he must be guilty, especially if he has similar characteristics to the person they saw commit the crime. They might feel they are letting the investigators or other victims down if they can't remember enough about the criminal to make an identification.

A police lineup is an attempt to make sure witness identification of a suspect is accurate. In a lineup, the actual suspect is presented to the witness along with four or five other people (usually police officers or employees) who have nothing to do with the crime. The witness is asked if the person who committed the crime is among them, and if so, to point him out. The lineup may be done in person or with photos.

In TV shows, lineups are often done in person, because it is more dramatic, but in real life, photos are often used. An in person lineup is harder to organize, because you need to have find several people who look similar to the suspect. Also, the victim or witness is required to see the suspect in person, which might be difficult for a victim of violent crime, even though the suspects are positioned behind one way viewing glass, and can't see the witness.

Even when the witness positively identifies a suspect in a lineup, they still can make mistakes. They might assume they have to choose one of them, and pick the one who looks the most like their memory of the person who committed the crime. In fact, the suspect might be innocent, and the true guilty party might not be present at all.

Investigators need to be sure they do not do anything to influence the witness's choice. For example, they might make the true suspect stand out in some way. The other people might all be of a different race, or significantly taller or shorter than the suspect. The other people might be all dressed in suits while the suspect is dressed in a sweatshirt and jeans. If photos are used, the suspect's photo might be larger than the others or placed in the center. Some psychologists believe that witness identifications from photo lineups are more accurate if the photos are shown one at a time rather than all together. Usually, the suspect's attorney is required to be present, so they can see that the investigators don't intimidate the witness or give clues to the identity of the actual suspect.

Even if the investigators don't intentionally lead the witness, the witness might pick up on unconscious body language from the investigator when the true suspect is shown. In order to avoid unintentionally influencing a witness, some police departments use a double blind presentation of suspects. In a double blind presentation, the lineup is presented by a third party who does not know which person is the actual suspect.

Something to try: Write a mystery story which involves witnesses identifying suspects out of a lineup.



Editor's Picks

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2174720 by Not Available.


STATIC
RED Open in new Window. (13+)
A short story written for the Show, Don't Tell Contest. Who is the mysterious RED?
#2165386 by Choconut Author IconMail Icon


STATIC
Enemies I Encounter Open in new Window. (18+)
A busy lawyer puts up with a lot in his neighborhood
#2174545 by Lornda Author IconMail Icon


STATIC
The Disappearing Devil Open in new Window. (18+)
A woman married a devil of a man. Where is he now?
#2148640 by JayNaNoOhNo Author IconMail Icon


STATIC
Case of the Missing Captain O’Leary! Open in new Window. (18+)
First Place answer to the Cop Shop Mystery set by Bards Hall to mark WDC's 18th birthday.
#2169409 by Christopher Roy Denton Author IconMail Icon

 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
         https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Don't forget to support our sponsor!

ASIN: B01MQP5740
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99


Ask & Answer

Question for next time: What topics would you like to see in future mystery newsletters?

*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

This form allows you to submit an item on Writing.Com and feedback, comments or questions to the Writing.Com Newsletter Editors. In some cases, due to the volume of submissions we receive, please understand that all feedback and submissions may not be responded to or listed in a newsletter. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback you can provide!
Writing.Com Item ID To Highlight (Optional):

Send a comment or question to the editor!
Limited to 2,500 characters.
Word from our sponsor

Removal Instructions

To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.


Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/9328