How many choices should a lineup or photo ID include?

• A. 2 or 3
• B. 4 or 5
• C. 6 or more (9 is best)
• D. 7 or more

Answer: (C)

Lineup size and the number of fillers directly affect how reliably an eyewitness can identify someone. You want enough people in the lineup so the witness can compare multiple faces and features rather than relying on a single standout cue. If there are too few choices, a witness might pick someone by chance or because of a distinctive feature, which raises the risk of a false identification. Having six or more people gives a fairer, more discriminating test of memory, and more fillers help prevent the suspect from standing out or from relying on a relative judgment. Nine is often viewed as the optimal size because it provides ample distractors while remaining manageable, maximizing accuracy and fairness. So the best practice is six or more, with nine being the preferred size when feasible; smaller lineups tend to be less reliable, while much larger ones can overburden the witness.