In a sequential lineup, which practice is commonly recommended?

• A. Show photos ONE at a time
• B. Present all photos at once
• C. Include only booking photos
• D. Use different background images

Answer: (A)

Sequential lineups are designed so the witness evaluates each photo independently, one at a time. This helps prevent the biases that come from comparing all suspects side by side. When every photo is shown at once, people tend to make a relative judgment—identifying who best fits the offender among the group rather than deciding if any single photo matches the perpetrator. Presenting photos individually encourages an absolute identification decision for each photo, which generally yields more reliable results. Extra cues like booking photos or different backgrounds can introduce unintended bias, so they’re not part of the recommended practice.