An Examination of Simultaneous Lineup Identification Decision Processes Using Eye Tracking

Decision processes in simultaneous lineups (an array of faces in which a ‘suspect’ face is displayed along with foil faces) were examined using eye tracking to capture the length and number of times that individual faces were visually analysed. The similarity of the lineup target face relative to the study face was manipulated, and face dwell times on the first visit and on return visits to the individual lineup faces were measured. On first visits, positively identified faces were examined for a longer duration compared to faces that were not identified. When no face was identified from the lineup, the suspect was visited for a longer duration compared to a foil face. On return visits, incorrectly identified faces were examined for a longer duration and visited more often compared to correctly identified faces. The results indicate that lineup decisions can be predicted by face dwell time and the number of visits made to faces. Copyright # 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.