Conn. bill creates guidelines for police lineups

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — The Connecticut House of Representatives has passed legislation that creates guidelines for police departments on how eyewitnesses identify suspects in lineups and how that information can be used in a trial.

The bill, approved on Tuesday, is based on recommendations from a task force chaired by former State Supreme Court Justice David Borden. The group suggested that whenever a suspect is included in a photo or live lineup, each person must be presented one at a time.

The bill also expands the instructions given to eyewitnesses, such as telling them the perpetrator may or may not be in the lineup.

State Rep. Gerald Fox, co-chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said the new standards will help reduce potential mistakes and increase accurate criminal identifications.

The bill now moves to the Senate.