As a witness -
You will be required to attend at a police station in order to take part in the procedure. The identification will either be video identification or an identification parade.
The main method of identification used is video identification. This is because it is easier and quicker than an identification parade.
You will be shown a video, which contains images of several different people. You will be asked to identify the person you believe to be the suspect.
An identification parade is where a group of several people, including the suspect, are in a room. You will be on the other side of a one way mirror and asked to pick out the suspect.
At no time during either procedure will you encounter the suspect or any of the volunteers.
As a suspect -
As a suspect you will receive notice of the identification procedure and will have been told which type of procedure is going to be used. You do not have to accept this procedure and if practicable another method will be offered.
The main method of identification used is video identification. This is because it is easier and quicker than an identification parade.
If you refused all methods of identification, then this can be used in evidence at any possible trial. The police may also proceed covertly with the identification.
In video identification your image will be captured for a short time. This is then sent off to a central bureau to ensure it is of a necessary quality. At this stage you and your solicitor will be able to choose from a local database of volunteers to make up the rest of the group.
In an identification parade the police will have picked other people of a similar age and height etc to you, and along with your solicitor, you will be able to choose the ones who you feel resemble you the most.
You will then be shown to a room with a one way mirror and the witness will be asked to pick the suspect out of the persons in the room.
