Best Practices at Police Lineups

Title: Reduction of False Convictions through Improved Identification Procedures: Further Refinements for Street Practice and Public Policy (pdf, 92 pages)

Author: Nancy K. Steblay

Abstract:

The purpose of this project was to enhance the quality and value of eyewitness evidence acquired through police lineups. Objectives were to:

1.            conduct a review of research comparing simultaneous with sequential lineup procedures;

2.            evaluate the sequential superiority effect and moderators of this effect; and

3.            conduct controlled lab tests of factors that impact the eyewitness accuracy of police lineup procedures by: relaxing the Yes/No response requirement of the sequential lineup procedure to allow for“I’m not sure” responses, providing appearance change instruction to the eyewitnesses, and discouraging multiple identification tasks in police lineups by the same witness.

Using both a meta-analytic review of research and a field test, the authors found that the sequential lineup format was more effective than simultaneous lineups. Furthermore, new laboratory data demonstrate a positive effect of sequential lineups on eyewitness identification, only minimal impact of an Appearance Change Instruction, and a significant negative effect of repeated lineups.

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Leader of Sex Trafficking Ring Sentenced to Over Nine Years in Prison for Interstate Prostitution Enterprise

The leader of a sex trafficking ring was sentenced today to 115 months in prison for operating an interstate prostitution enterprise.

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney J. Walter Green of the Middle District of Louisiana and Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Anderson of the FBI’s New Orleans Division made the announcement.

Jeremie J. Tate, 34, of Zachary, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on April 8, 2015, to conspiracy to unlawfully use interstate facilities in aid of racketeering, two counts of use of interstate facilities in aid of racketeering and enticing another to travel interstate for prostitution.  Tate was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Shelly D. Dick of the Middle District of Louisiana.

In connection with his plea, Tate admitted that, from November 2012 through November 2013, he operated a prostitution business based in Baton Rouge involving at least one minor.  Tate admitted that he personally recruited prostitutes and advertised for and scheduled prostitution sessions.  Tate further admitted that he used proceeds from the enterprise to purchase controlled substances, which he distributed to the prostitutes and others to manipulate and intimidate them.

To date, three others already have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced for their roles in this sex trafficking ring.

The case is being investigated by the was investigated by the FBI’s Baton Rouge Crimes Against Children Task Force, Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, Louisiana State Police and East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Police Department’s Narcotics Division, U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force and other law enforcement agencies.

The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Reginald E. Jones of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie A. Flowers Jr. of the Middle District of Louisiana.

U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Awards Nearly $18 Million to Combat Violence Due to Methamphetamine, Heroin and Gangs

U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Awards Nearly $18 Million to Combat Violence Due to Methamphetamine, Heroin and Gangs

Deputy Attorney General Sally Quillian Yates today announced nearly $18 million in COPS Office grant funding aimed at addressing and reducing violent crime through programs focused on methamphetamine use and production, the distribution of heroin and other opioids and gang activity.

“The funding awarded through these COPS Office initiatives will expand the capacity of the recipients, including some of our local partners, to proactively address contributors to violent crime and increase public safety,” said Deputy Attorney General Yates.

“We look forward to the work of our local and state law enforcement partners,” said COPS Office Director Ronald Davis. “By getting methamphetamine off the streets and shutting down laboratories, investigating illicit activities related to the distribution of heroin or unlawful distribution of prescriptive opioids, and combating gang activity through enforcement, prevention, education and intervention, we can make the country safer for everyone.”

The COPS Office is awarding more than $6.1 million under the COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program to seven state-level law enforcement agencies dealing with high seizures of precursor chemicals, finished methamphetamine and laboratories. The agencies will use the funds to investigate illicit activities related to the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine. For more information about the COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program and a list of grant recipients, visit http://cops.usdoj.gov/Default.asp?Item=2716.

Under the COPS Anti-Heroin Task Force Program, the COPS Office is awarding close to $5.8 million to six state-level law enforcement agencies to investigate illicit activities related to the distribution of heroin or unlawful distribution of prescriptive opioids. The goal of the program is to address the troubling trend of increases in heroin seizures and heroin-related overdose deaths. For more information about the COPS Anti-Heroin Task Force Program and a list of grant recipients, visit http://cops.usdoj.gov/Default.asp?Item=2776.

Under the COPS Anti-Gang Initiative, the COPS Office is awarding close to $5.8 million to nine multijurisdictional task forces to address gang activity. The initiative focuses on combating gang activity through enforcement, prevention, education and intervention. All the award recipients under this initiative are agencies leading multijurisdictional partnerships between federal, state and local law enforcement to address all forms of gang activity. For more information about the COPS Anti-Gang Initiative and a list of grant recipients, visit http://cops.usdoj.gov/Default.asp?Item=2775.

The COPS Office, headed by Director Ronald Davis, is a federal agency responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. Since 1995, COPS has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of more than 127,000 officers and provide a variety of knowledge resource products including publications, training, and technical assistance. For additional information about COPS, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.