Virtual ID parades to reduce stress on children
19 Oct 05
Executive publishes guidance as part of package on supporting child witnesses
New guidance to ensure that children are better supported when involved in identity parades has been published by the Scottish Executive.
Virtual video identity parades (VIPER) can now be used by children and other vulnerable witnesses to identify accused persons, a move aimed at reducing the stress involved in such proceedings. VIPER uses a national database of volunteers' images to compile a video lineup. This means that an identity parade can take place anywhere that is best for victims or witnesses.
The new guidance is mainly aimed at police officers in charge of investigations or conducting identity parades. There are also complementary booklets for child witnesses and their parents or carers.
This guidance follows previous material on supporting child witnesses in court and in the children's hearing system, and completes the Executive's series on supporting child witnesses.
The advice pack was backed by the Solicitor General, Elish Angiolini QC, who said: "Attending as a witness at an identification parade can be an anxious experience for any witness, and clearly children and young people will have their own particular concerns about what may be involved.
"This package of guidance will not only inform young people of what they can expect when they attend an identification parade, but will also assist in ensuring application of best practice which will reduce the stress experienced by child witnesses."
Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry said: "We now have in place a comprehensive set of good practice guidance to make sure that child witnesses are better supported and less distressed by a whole range of legal proceedings they may find themselves involved in."