MISid
MisID, short for misidentification, is the incorrect identification of a person, object, or place as something else. In legal and forensic contexts, misID most often refers to the mistaken identification of a suspect by witnesses or investigators, which can contribute to wrongful arrests or convictions. The term is also used more generally to describe errors in biometric matches, surveillance reviews, or cataloging where the entity is mislabeled.
Eyewitness misidentification is a central concern in criminal justice. Witnesses may identify a suspect from a
MisID can have serious consequences, including wrongful charges, protracted litigation, and wrongful conviction. In many exoneration
Prevention relies on lineup reforms and standardized protocols: double-blind administration, sequential lineups, properly selected fillers, clear
See also: eyewitness testimony, wrongful conviction, lineup, DNA exoneration, cross-racial bias.