SUSPECTED PERSONS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 8 February 1927, Page 5

SUSPECTED PERSONS

IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM.

POLICE METHODS. A CAREFUL PROCESS. SPECIAL TO THE STAR. WELLINGTON, Fieili. 8. An Auckland case in which the judge stated it wou’d be dangerous 1 to convict a man who was subsequently : found ‘‘not guilty” and discharged brings into prominence the methods adopted by the authorities' wheai accused persons have to be identified. A. good deal depends, of course, upon the reliability of the witnesses. As for the system, it was revised by the Commissioner of Police. (Mr W. B. McUveney) last November, and the instructions then issued commenced with tins warning:— “It is of the utmost importance thatthe identification of suspected, persons should lie conducted in the fairest manner.” . The method ordered by the Commissioner provides that the officerin charge of the investigation, though present, must not. take charge of identification proceedings, which aire to be conducted bv the officer in charge of tlie" station. *

Witnesses- -axe not to- be allowed to see the .suspect oi; accused before he or she is placed with others for identification, nor are they to be assisted by photographs or verbal or written description. or expression of opinion by any police official. “The suspect or accused,” continues the order, “who should be dressed as far as possible as be or she was when placed, among a number of -perkons (not police), eight or more, of similar age, height, general appearance and class of life. Particular attention is to be given to colour and 'race. The .suspect or accused is to be invited to stand where he or she n leases among them, and to change position after each witness has had the necessary opportunity for recognition. He or she is to be asked if wnv objection i« entertained to any of the persons present, or to the arrangement.” After instructing that the light shall lie good and a proper record taken of the whole proceeding, the order continues : “The witnesses are to be brought in one by one, and directed to touch the persons they identify, a witness, however,-indicate any one but be unahle to identify positively, or pick out some one other than the suspect or accused...the facts and material circumstances are to be carefully noted and reported upon by the official conducting the identification.” “On leaving, witnesses are nob. to be-# allowed to communicate with any other witness in waiting.”