Policy Text
Page 1 of 9 General Order 7-8 - (12/01/23 )
PROCEDURE FOR EYEWITNESS IDENTIFICATION AND TAKING INTERVIEW
STA TEMENTS
RICHMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: PROCEDURE FOR EYEWITNESS IDENTIFICATION
AND TAKING INTERVIEW STATEM ENT S
Chapter
7 Number
8 # Pages
9
CALEA Standards: 1.2.3a, 42.2.9 a-g, 42.2.1 0a-g
Related Orders: Effective Date: 12/01/2023
Revised By: Standard
Prv. Rev. Date : 06/09/2022
Chief of Police :
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this directive is to establish the proper guidelines for obtaining reliable
eyewitness identification , taking statements during interviews and guidelines for the
preparat ion and presentation of photographi c.
II. SUMMARY OF CH ANGE
To ensure adequate and consistent directions is being given by individuals administering
show -ups to witnesses, instructions have been created and are now reflected in the PD -159A
form. All changes w ill be bold and italicized throughout the document.
III. POLICY
It is the policy of the Richmond Police Department to provide its members with the
constitutional standards and practical guidelines for taking interview statements and obtaining
eyewitness identi fication. Eyewitness identification evidence is often crucial in identifying
offenders a s well as exonerating the innocent. Research of cases in which Deoxyribonucleic
Acid ( DNA ) evidence has been used to exonerate individuals previously convicted of crime s
leads many experts to conclude that improved, more reliable methods of handling eyewitness
identifications may promote higher standards of justice. The Department subscribes to the
guidelines developed by the Department of Justice for conducting the mos t reliable and
accurate eyewitn ess identification procedures.
IV. ACCOUNTABILITY STATEMENT
All employees are expected to fully comply with the guidelines and timelines set forth in this
general order. Failure to comply will result in appropriate corrective ac tion. Responsibility
rests with the Division Commander to ensure that any violations of policy are investigated and
appropriate training, counseling and/or disciplinary action is initiated.
This directive is for internal use only, and does not enlarge an employee’s civil liability in
any way. It should not be constru ed as the creation of a higher standard of safety or care in
an evidentiary sense, with respect to third party claims. Violation of this directive, if
Page 2 of 9 General Order 7-8 - (12/01/23 )
PROCEDURE FOR EYEWITNESS IDENTIFICATION AND TAKING INTERVIEW
STA TEMENTS proven, can only form the basis of a com plaint by this department, and then only in a non -
judicial administrative setting.
V. DEFINITIONS
A. BLIND -SEQUENTIAL LINE -UP – The preferred method of conducting a photographic
line-up in which photographs are presented to the witness one at a time, rather than in a
grouping. This is conducted by someone who does not know which member of the line -
up is the “true” suspect. It is also known as a “double -blind” procedure as the witness
also does not know which photo will be the true suspect.
B. INTERVIEW – An interv iew is a conversation with a cooperative witness, who willfully
furnishes information. Generally, interviews will be made with persons making
complaints or persons with knowledge of the incident being investigated.
C. PHOTO GRAPHIC LINE -UP – A procedure in wh ich photographs are used instead of
live persons. This procedure is often used when a suspect has not been identified or
when such a person has not been located or arrested.
D. PHOTOGRAPHIC SHOW -UP – A procedure wherein a picture of the suspect is taken
and shown to the victim rather than actually placing the suspect before the victim for
identification.
E. PHYSICAL SHOW -UP – A procedure in which circumstances require the prompt
display of a suspect to a witness to determine if the captured person is actually the
criminal .
VI. PROCEDURE [CALEA 1.2.3a ]
A. Procedure for Taking Hand written or Electronic Statements:
1. Statements shall contain an introductory paragraph, which will include the
following:
a) Name of witness;
b) Name of interviewer;
c) Name(s) o f everyone present;
d) Location of interview;
e) Date and time of interview; and,
f) Nature of interview.
2. The second paragraph of the statement shall be a brief resume of the witness to
include:
a) Residence location;
Page 3 of 9 General Order 7-8 - (12/01/23 )
PROCEDURE FOR EYEWITNESS IDENTIFICATION AND TAKING INTERVIEW
STA TEMENTS b) Date of birth;
c) Educational background ;
d) Employment;
e) Marital or family status;
f) Home , work and any alternate telephone numbers;
g) E-mail information, if applicable; and,
h) Any other information that would contribute to the character of the individual,
who is making the statement.
B. Procedure for Recording Statemen ts:
1. The officer shall attempt to record questions to clarify any point that is unclear or to
explore areas that the witness has overlooked ;
2. If statements from the witness are taken in written form, the officer shall give the
witness an opportunity t o read and initial any corrections, and sign and date the
statement ;