What error increases liability when arresting someone based on a wanted person hit?

Arresting someone based on a sound-a-like name or date of birth significantly increases liability because it demonstrates a lack of due diligence in verifying the identity of the individual being arrested. In law enforcement, precise identification is crucial, especially when considering the legal consequences of making an arrest. Relying on similar names or dates of birth without further verification can lead to wrongful arrests, which may result in civil liability, false imprisonment claims, or violations of the arrested individual's rights.

To avoid these legal risks, law enforcement officers are trained to confirm the identity of suspects through additional checks, such as fingerprinting or using comprehensive databases. Ensuring that an arrest is based on accurate and unequivocal identification is critical for upholding the integrity of law enforcement actions and protecting the rights of individuals.