Colorado POST Practice Exam

What type of identification occurs when a witness is shown a suspect shortly after a crime?

1. Field identification

2. Witness identification

3. Photo line-up

4. Witness recall session

The correct answer is: Field identification

Field identification is a process where a witness is asked to identify a suspect shortly after a crime has occurred, often in a spontaneous or on-scene manner. This type of identification is conducted in an environment where the crime took place or nearby, allowing the witness to recall the situation while it is still fresh in their memory. Field identifications can be crucial as they take advantage of the immediacy of the event, potentially leading to a quicker resolution of the case. The reliability of such identifications, however, can vary based on factors such as lighting, stress levels during the crime, and the time elapsed before the identification occurs. In contrast, the other options involve different methods of identification. Witness identification can refer broadly to any instance where a witness identifies a suspect but does not specify the context in which this occurs. A photo line-up involves showing the witness a series of photographs of potential suspects at a later time, while a witness recall session is typically a structured interview meant to gather more detailed information about the crime and the suspect, rather than an immediate identification process. Thus, field identification is the most appropriate term for this specific scenario of identifying a suspect soon after a crime has taken place.