Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy (NVCJA) Practice Exam

What impact does transporting a suspect back to the crime scene have on a victim's identification?

1. It improves the likelihood of accurate identification

2. It is irrelevant to the identification process

3. It often leads to false identifications

4. It should be avoided for legal reasons

The correct answer is: It improves the likelihood of accurate identification

Transporting a suspect back to the crime scene can improve the likelihood of accurate identification for several reasons. When a victim is presented with a suspect in the environment where the crime occurred, it can enhance their memory recall. Familiar settings can jog the victim's memory, allowing them to better recognize the perpetrator based on contextual cues, such as lighting, layout, and other environmental factors that may influence their recollection of the event. Additionally, a return to the crime scene can facilitate a more detailed conversation about the incident, allowing the victim to reflect on what happened and potentially provide more accurate information. This process leverages the psychological phenomenon known as "context-dependent memory," where individuals are more likely to retrieve memories when they are in the same context in which those memories were formed. Overall, the approach of bringing a suspect back to the crime scene is rooted in the understanding of how memory works, leading to better identification outcomes for victims, provided it is conducted in a sensitive and professional manner.