Which statement best defines a showup in police procedure?

• A. A live presentation, within a reasonable time after a crime, of a single person by police to a witness to identify the suspect
• B. A lineup containing multiple suspects presented to a witness
• C. A procedure using surveillance footage
• D. A written description of a suspect provided by a witness

Answer: (A)

A showup is a one-on-one identification conducted live, where a single person is presented to a witness shortly after a crime for identification of the suspect. This typically happens when time is critical or the suspect is already in custody or nearby, allowing a rapid determination without assembling others. It differs from a lineup, which presents multiple people for a witness to compare and identify. It also isn’t about reviewing surveillance footage or receiving a written description from the witness—the showup is about the witness making a direct identification of a single individual presented to them. In practice, showups should be used judiciously due to their potential for suggestiveness, and officers should minimize influence and document all details of the procedure.