Preparing and Directing the Lineup

There are certain procedures that must be followed in conducting a lineup to ensure its proper operation. These include selection of lineup personnel, their preparation and directions, and control of the witness/victim.

Personnel selection should be such that the people in the lineup are of the same general physical description; that they have the same distinctive features (such as glasses, beard, and so forth), and that they are presented wearing the same general type of clothing. (As a rule, law enforcement personnel should not be included in the lineup.)

In setting up the lineup, each person should be provided with a numbered card. A record is then made by name and number of each position in the lineup. The lineup should be photographed to help verify that it is conducted correctly and to verify the location of people in the lineup. If the people are in uniform, insignia, accoutrements, and name tags should be removed or covered. The people should be in clothing that is the same as may have been described earlier by the witness. That is, if the suspect was wearing a hat, all people in the lineup should be wearing hats. It is permissible for movement directions to be given to the lineup personnel if necessary, such as facing the lineup left or right.

There are certain procedures for which the witness or victim should be instructed or prepared. Witnesses should not be allowed to see a suspect before the actual lineup. They should be told how the lineup will be conducted before it begins. They should NOT be told that a suspect is actually in the lineup. They should not be pressured to make a statement. All conversations of the witnesses should be recorded during the lineup. There should be a standard series of questions prepared before convening the lineup if the witness is to be questioned. If more than one witness is to view a lineup, each should do so separately. Witnesses should not be allowed to communicate with each other during a lineup, as one may adversely influence the other.

Lineup of objects for identification may be of considerable importance to an investigation. When this technique is used, a group of six or more objects similar to and including the object that needs to be identified. Ample time should be given to the witness to view the group of objects in an attempt to identify the object.

The Navy Law Enforcement Manual, OPNAVINST 5580.1, contains further details on lineups.

SURVEILLANCE OPERATIONS

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Explain surveillance operations and describe the terms used. Describe the planning, preparation, and personal qualifications for surveillance operations. List some of the precautions to be observed in surveillance, and identify the types and methods of surveillance.

Surveillance operations are excellent methods for acquiring police information. However, they require sound techniques and the use of experienced, trained investigators. They are closely related because, in each instance, the investigator relegates official standing to an obscure identity to accomplish the mission.

Because of the total involvement and, in some cases, danger to the investigator, surveillance operations are used only when necessary as the best way or, as in many instances, the only way of achieving the desired results.

Surveillance operations are used in many ways and require special skills and qualifications. One of the most important required skills is adeptness in police observation and description. This section depicts investigator requirements and the "how" and "why" of surveillance operations. Police surveillance is the systematic observation of persons, places, or things to obtain information. Normally, a surveillance is covert and concerned primarily with persons; places and things are observed incidental to, or as they relate to, certain people.

Surveillance Terms:

Subject-the person, place, or thing under observation.

Surveillant-a person engaged in observing a subject.

Contact-any person the subject meets with or with whom the subject confers.

Convoy-a person used by a subject to detect a surveillance-usually done by following the subject.

Decoy-a person who attempts to divert the surveillant's attention from the subject.

"Made," "burned," or "blown''-terms used to relate that the surveillance or the identity of a surveillant has been discovered by the subject.

Surveillance may be used to identify locations frequented by persons of interest to the investigation and places where criminal activity is conducted. It is used to obtain information on the scope and nature of a person's activities. One important use of surveillance is to verify the reliability of informers.

Although this section addresses covert surveillance almost exclusively, overt surveillances are used on occasion. An overt surveillance is used when it is to the surveillant's advantage to let the subject know he or she is being observed.

For example, a nervous subject maybe purposefully made aware that he or she is being followed and made to feel that an arrest is imminent. This could cause the subject to falter in his or her actions and expose others involved to the investigator.