Dictionary

lineup

a police identification procedure in which a row of persons including the crime suspect is shown to a witness to find out whether the witness recognizes the suspect from the crime The rape victim was later able to identify her attacker in a lineup.

Other

  • line up|line-up

Phrase Bank

  • Lineups take place on two sides of one-way mirrors, which means that the eyewitness can see the lineup, but the members of the lineup can't see the witness.
  • Law enforcement officials ask each person in the lineup to turn and show their profile.
  • If the suspect has been arrested, the police can force him or her to participate in the lineup.

Additional Notes

  • The term lineup, sometimes spelled line-up or line up, is only used in American English. In British English, the expression 'identity parade' is used.