Study: Computer Photos More Reliable Than Live Line-Up
FARMINGTON HILLS (WWJ) - Do police line ups really work? A new study shows victims are more apt to finger the wrong person in a line up than when they're shown computer photos one by one.
As a former police chief in Farmington Hills and Warren, Bill Dwyer spent nearly 50 years in law enforcement. Dwyer tells WWJ that he agrees.
"I think it's more effective today to use a photo line-up, I think you can actually ... better use the characteristics that are similar to the suspect, rather than in a live line-up," said Dwyer.
"There are victims that have picked someone out of a live line up and made a mistake, that can also happen in a photo line-up," added Dwyer.
He says most police agencies are now using the computer photos over the line ups. The study was conducted by the American Judicature Society.
