1.02 Visual identification – what works

The project used three surveys:

• A questionnaire completed by policing staff
• A questionnaire completed by witnesses/the general public
• A tool to record additional information about identification procedures

The results of the research showed a worrying disjuncture between the relevant practice guidelines and the behaviour of witnesses in a criminal investigation. This included that many witnesses either did not understand the instructions given to them at an identification procedure and/or chose to interpret them in ways not intended by the police. For example, witnesses reported that they expected the perpetrator to be present in the parade and that they should select someone.

Overall, there appeared to be a pattern of witness selection, including self-selection, and behaviour that meant that the witnesses tending to take part in identification procedures displayed many of the characteristics that research has shown are likely to lead to misidentifications.

Outputs