Force starts virtual ID parades

Witnesses pick out faces from a computer screen via a video link-up

Virtual identity parades are being started by Scotland's largest police force on Thursday.

The hi-tech system aims to speed up police work and reduce trauma for victims by allowing them to view line-ups at any time or place.

It will be introduced in the Strathclyde area ahead of its eventual roll-out across the country.

Line-ups - featuring suspects and volunteers' images - are viewed on a computer screen via a video link-up.

The Video Identification Parade Electronic Recording System (Viper) suite will be launched at Strathclyde Police's office in London Road, Glasgow, before being set up in every division in the force area.

Successful pilot

Strathclyde's Det Supt John Hefron said: "We cannot detect crime and bring people to justice without the crucial assistance of witnesses and victims.

"However, we realise it can be distressing and traumatic for someone who has either been a victim of crime or witnesses a crime to undergo the formal police ID procedures.

"The VIPER system will remove the confrontational aspect of traditional ID parades."

Fifty-one offenders were identified for more than 100 crimes in a successful pilot of the system by Lothian and Borders Police last year.

The video line-ups are compiled from a national database of images of volunteers.

Suspects are filmed in a special video suite before appearing in the parade alongside the virtual suspects.