What is the main reason for conducting a photo lineup?

Conducting a photo lineup primarily serves to assess an eyewitness's memory regarding the identification of a suspect. This procedure allows law enforcement to gauge the accuracy and reliability of the eyewitness's recollection following the crime. When an eyewitness is presented with a collection of photographs that may include the suspect, it provides an opportunity to determine if they can correctly identify the person they witnessed committing the crime.

The process is systematic and designed to minimize the risk of misidentification by ensuring that the lineup is conducted fairly and that the eyewitness’s confidence in their selection is considered in relation to their memory of the incident. By focusing on the accuracy of the eyewitness's memory, investigators can gather crucial information that helps establish the suspect's involvement in the crime, while simultaneously validating the integrity of the eyewitness testimony.