How Are Police Lineups Represented in Popular Crime Shows in the U.S.A? An Examination of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Author

Luis Fernando Chavarria, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Date of Award

8-2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Criminal Justice

First Advisor

Dr. Lucas Espinoza

Second Advisor

Dr. Rosalva Resendiz

Third Advisor

Dr. Thomas White

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to explore police lineups as portrayed in crime-related TV shows in the U.S.A, such as Law & Order: SUV. The data used is from 25 episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. The methodology used for this study is grounded theory and content analysis. results of the study by themes which are: DNA evidence, police lineups, and lineups used in court. From these themes codes were further highlighted and noted. Based on the episodes for the show and real-life lineup procedure practices, there were inconsistencies about clothing, physical characteristics of suspects, incorrect lineup procedures for simultaneous, sequential, and photo ID, misidentification of the perpetrators, admissible DNA, female suspects, cross-race identifications and lineup procedures in court.

Comments

Copyright 2021 Luis Chavarria. All Right Reserved.

https://go.openathens.net/redirector/utrgv.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/how-are-police-lineups-represented-popular-crime/docview/2595951580/se-2?accountid=7119

Recommended Citation

Chavarria, Luis Fernando, "How Are Police Lineups Represented in Popular Crime Shows in the U.S.A? An Examination of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (2021). Theses and Dissertations. 634.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/etd/634