What is the purpose of a 'show up' identification?

• A. To compile evidence against suspects
• B. To view a single suspect for identification
• C. To determine the scene of the crime
• D. To gather testimonies from witnesses

Answer: (B)

The purpose of a 'show up' identification is to view a single suspect for identification. This procedure typically occurs shortly after a crime has taken place. Law enforcement may present a suspect to a witness or victim to confirm whether that person is the perpetrator. This method is beneficial because it allows for a quick identification process, which can be crucial in apprehending suspects while the details of the crime are still fresh in the minds of witnesses.

In this context, the focus is on the immediacy of identifying a suspect, which helps to reduce the chance of misidentification that could occur in a lineup, where multiple individuals are presented at once. 'Show up' identifications are often subject to scrutiny regarding their reliability, but they serve a specific purpose in rapidly ascertaining whether the suspect is indeed connected to the crime in question.

The other options, while they may relate to aspects of criminal investigations, do not accurately describe the function or goal of a 'show up' identification.