Some police departments in the Commonwealth may soon be changing their suspect lineup procedures.
The new guidelines are a push from the Virginia State Crime Commission, a legislative advisory body, to reduce the number of mistaken witness identifications.
The commission is asking police departments to adopt policies where witnesses are shown mugshots or suspects one at a time by an investigator who doesn't know who the suspect really is.
It is also recommending witnesses be told that the suspect may not necessarily be among those shown.
Now starting in October, law enforcement recruits in Virginia will learn only new methods and current officers will be trained in these procedures.
The methods are voluntary, but could become law if agencies do not adopt the policies.
