Walker & Hemmens: Legal Guide for Police (10th Ed.)
Chapter 9: Pretrial Identification Procedures
Introduction
This chapter will provide an overview of the procedures that surround the police practice of identifying
suspects. The procedural constraints surrounding fingerprinting and photographing are detailed first.
Further, this chapter contains the processes related to lineups and other identification procedures.
Key Concepts
• The procedures related to fingerprinting and photographing suspects.
Key Terms
• Fingerprint
• Photographic
• Body Examination
Critical Thinking Questions
1. An officer wants to do a dental examination on a suspect. Should the officer procure a
warrant?
2. Post-indictment lineups have more procedural constraints than pre-indictment lineups. Does
this make sense?
Guidelines: A post-indictment lineup implies a focused investigation, and the Court has held that
3. An officer needs DNA from a suspect. The officer instructs the suspect to report to a hospital
to provide a sample. The suspect acquiesces but later challenges the admissibility of the DNA
evidence. Why could the suspect successfully challenge the evidence?
Discussion Points
• When does fingerprinting become a search?