Policy Text
Revisions or additions are highlighted 1 (04/29/2024 ) ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT
INSTRUCTIONAL ORDER
Subject: PHOTO PACKS, LINE -UPS AND SHOW -UPS
Index as: Blind Administrator Line-ups Show -ups
Eyewitness Identification Procedures Live Line -up Street Identification (Show -ups)
Field Show -up Photographic Line-ups
Independent Administrator Photo Packs
Accreditation Standards: 42.2. 9, 42.2.10, CFA 15.13 , 15.14
Cross Reference: G.O. III -06, Juvenile Procedures
III-40, Mobile Video Recording Systems (MVRS)
§§ 92.70 and 985.11, F lorida Statutes
State v. Dorsey, 5 So .3d 702 (2d DCA 2009)
Replaces : I.O. V.3: 03, Photo Packs, Line -Ups and Show -Ups ( March 12, 2019 )
This Order establishes procedures for conducting physical and photographic line -ups (photo packs) and also on -street
identifications (show -ups) to identify suspects during the investigation of a criminal act. It consists of the following sections:
I. Policy
II. Definitions
III. Factors Affecting the Reliability of Eyewitness Identification
IV. Photo Pack Identification Procedures
V. Physical or “Live” Line -Up Procedures
VI. Field Show -Up Procedures
VII. Training
I. POLICY
A. Eyewitness identification procedures, including physical and photographic line -ups and/or on -street show -ups, are
an acceptable investigative tool to aid in establishing probable cause for a suspect or the elimination of a suspect.
B. These types of procedures should be considered as one piece of information to support other corroborative
evidence accumulated during the investigation .
C. Eyewitness identification procedures, particularly on -street identifications (show -ups), are subject to close review
to ensure they are conducted fairly and without suggestion. The circumstances of the actual process and outcome
must be thoroughly and a ccurately recorded in the police report.
D. In all eyewitness identification situations where more than one eyewitness is available , the officer will make every
effort to keep the eyewitnesses separated . The presentation of the suspect to the eyewitness , whet her it be through
a photo pack, a physical or “live” line -up, or a show -up, will be conducted separately.
E. The investigator may elect to make an audio or video recording of the process. See III-40, Mobile Video Re cording
Systems (MVRS) .
DATE OF
ISSUE EFFECTIVE DATE NUMBER
April 2024 Immediately V.3:03
Distribution: All Employees
Instructional Order V.3:03
Revisions or additions are highlighted 2 (04/29/2024 ) II. DEFINITIONS
A. Field Show -up (On-street Identification) – A witness views a single suspect for the purpose of identifying the suspect
as the perpetrator of the crime.
B. Filler – Either a person or a photograph of a person who is NOT suspected of an offense and is included in an
identi fication procedure.
C. Independent or “Blind” Administrator – An investigator administering a line -up or photo array who has no knowledge
of the suspect’s identity.
D. Photographic Line -up (Photo Pack) – A selected group of photographs of persons presented seq uentially to a
witness, containing a single suspect and several “fillers” for the purpose of determining whether the witness is able
to identify the suspect as the perpetrator of the crime.
E. Physical or “Live” Line -up – A selected group of persons presente d to a witness, containing a suspect and several
“fillers” for the purpose of determining whether the witness is able to identify the suspect as the perpetrator of the
crime.
III. FACTORS AFFECTING THE RELIABILITY OF EYEWITNESS IDENTIFICATION
A. Place and manner in which the identification was conducted.
B. Opportunity ( i.e., time, distance, lighting, attention, etc.) of the person to observe the offense.
C. Any previous identification by the victim/witness of another person or t he suspect.
D. The accuracy of the victim/witness’ prior description of the suspect.
E. Previous failure of the person to identify the suspect.
F. Time lapse between the offense and the identification process.
G. Level of certainty demonstrated by the victim/witness at the time of the identification.
IV. PHOTO PACK IDENTIFICATION PROCEDURES
A. Policy
1. A photo pack array will be conducted by an independent administrator. Exceptions to this requirement may be
met by the law enforcement agency:
a. Administering the photo lineup to an eyewitness via an automated computer program such that the lineup
administrator is prevented from seeing which photograph the eyewitness is viewing until after the procedure
is completed.
b. Placing photographs in folders, randomly numbered, and shuffled and then presented to an eyewitness
such that the lineup administrator cannot see or track which photograph is being presented to the
eyewitness until after the procedure is completed.
c. Achieving neutral administration throu gh any other procedure and which prevents the lineup administrator
from knowing which photograph is being presented to the eyewitness during the identification procedure.
2. A single photograph display is permissible when the full identity of the suspect is already known by the victim
or a witness.
a. The sole purpose of a single photo display is for the officer’s assurance and confirmation that the known
suspect is, in