It’s been a while since I posted one of these Writing Crime posts, my health deteriorated and I wasn’t able to keep up with the blog as much as I wanted to, as well as writing at the same time and I had to prioritise. I’m now in a place where I have the energy to bring this series back, so here we are!
Previously we have arrested a suspect and interviewed them.Β
What happens if, in interview, your suspect denies they are responsible. They say they are not the person you are after? And the reason you arrested them was because they were identified by a witness?
Well, then, you have an identification issue on your hands and you need to sort it out. As used to be televised, the next step was an identification parade. The old parade was where your suspect was lined up with similar looking persons with the witness behind one-way glass to pick them out. But, be careful of following this old trope, because in 20 forces within the UK the identification procedure is done electronically. It’s called the VIPER system.
Video Identification Parade Electronic Recording.
This is the system that was in play in the force I worked in.
Instead of putting a witness in the position of facing the suspect – even though it’s one-way glass, it does have a feel of doing that – the video completely removes them from being near the suspect.
Your offender is filmed looking forward, then left, then right. That’s it. A clip of about 3 minutes is created using 8 other videos of people of similar appearance looking forward then left then right and the witness has to choose which one they saw commit the offence – if any.
The offender’s solicitor gets to view the clips and decide if they are happy with the choices of people matched up to the suspect. They can also be present during the viewing of video to make sure it is run fairly.
So, now you have a clean and simple system with which to ID your suspect.
This is the official website for VIPER.
If you have any questions you’d like answered in this series, leave them in the comments. This is a UK only series I’m afraid though. I was a UK based police officer and only have experience of this law and procedure.
Rebecca Bradley is a retired UK police detective and now a crime writer.
She writes the DI Hannah Robbins series.
When catching a killer isn’t enough…
The naked, battered body of an unidentified teenager is found dumped in an alleyway and post-mortem finds evidence of a harrowing series of events.
Another teenage death with the same MO pushes DI Hannah Robbins and her team in the Nottingham City division Major Crimes Unit, to their limits, and across county borders. In a race against the clock, they attempt to unpick a thick web of lies and deceit to uncover the truth behind the deaths.
But it doesn’t stop there.
Just how far are the team willing to push themselves to save the next girl?
Ian says
Is a group ID still done, i.e in a large public group?
Can you cover a prison ID please.
Rebecca Bradley says
I’ve just covered some more of this topic today π
I’d have to research the prison ID, but will have a look!
jenanita01 says
Interesting post, and I’m glad you’re feeling stronger these days!
Rebecca Bradley says
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the post π
Prashant C. Trikannad says
Interesting, Rebecca. I can see why identification through a one-way glass can make a witness uncomfortable. You can’t shake the feeling that the suspects are staring right back at you even if they can’t.
Rebecca Bradley says
I know, it must be a pretty creepy feeling!
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
That seems like a smarter system. Probably makes the witness much more comfortable.
Rebecca Bradley says
Yes, can you imagine thinking you’re being stared at through that glass?
Margot Kinberg says
So glad you’re feeling better these days, Rebecca. And thanks, as ever, for sharing your expertise. I can see how it might be easier on a victim or witness to ID a suspect using the VIPER system.
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks, Margot. It definitely feels easier on the witness, doesn’t it?
Stephen Hall says
Old style was better when one had to walk along a line and tap the person on the shoulder- not!
Rebecca Bradley says
Ha! Things have moved on slightly π
Clare Chase says
So glad youβre feeling stronger, Rebecca, and thanks very much for the interesting post!
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks, Clare and I’m so glad you enjoyed the post π