When is a field showup considered appropriate?

A field showup is a procedure where a witness or a victim is presented with a suspect in a location close to where the crime occurred, often shortly after the crime has taken place. The primary goal of conducting a field showup immediately after the crime is to capitalize on the witness's fresh memory, which can significantly enhance the accuracy of their identification. Memories are typically more vivid and reliable right after an event, as individuals recall details more clearly when the incidents are still recent.

Conducting a showup at this optimal time leverages the natural recall capabilities of the witness, making it more likely that they will be able to accurately identify the perpetrator. The immediacy of the procedure serves to reduce the chances of memory decay or the introduction of misleading information that could occur if there is too much time passed before the lineup.

In contrast, options suggesting that a showup can be conducted at any time after a crime, such as when the victim is well-rested or only when multiple witnesses are involved, do not take into account the critical factor of timing related to memory accuracy. Therefore, while directing attention to conditions such as witness rest or the number of witnesses may have merit in other contexts, they are not as influential as the necessity of conducting a