Identification procedure

Contributed by AndrewRobson and current to 27 July 2018

The police may request a suspect to take part in an identification parade. An identification parade usually involves the suspect being placed among several persons of similar physical presentation to the suspect. A suspect may refuse to take part in an identification parade.

Alternatively, the police may ask a witness to review photographs in a photo-board to see if they can identify an offender.

A person charged with a serious offence should attempt to seek legal advice before deciding whether to take part in an identification parade.

Evidence of identification is often a controversial issue in criminal trials.