What is a photo array?

A photo array is indeed a photographic lineup for identification. This technique is commonly used in law enforcement to help witnesses or victims identify suspects in criminal cases. The process involves presenting a group of photographs—typically of individuals who resemble the suspect—to the witness under controlled circumstances. The goal is to allow the witness to make an identification based on their memory of the suspect while minimizing the risk of suggestiveness or coercive influences.

In a photo array, the photographs presented are usually comparable in terms of appearance, age, and other characteristics to ensure that the identification is fair and reliable. This method is considered more effective and less suggestive than showing a single photograph or performing a one-on-one identification, where the risk of misidentification can increase due to the pressure of directly confronting a potential suspect. The integrity of the identification process is critical in the context of the judicial system to ensure that innocent individuals are not wrongfully accused based on faulty eyewitness testimony.