Face-to-face identity parades set to change

THE Government isurgently examining ways of ending the practice of forcing victims to come face-to-face with their attackers in identity parades.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell said a decision had to be made and that several options were being considered. These include:

Dedicated suites, with separate rooms and one-way mirrors.

A portable screen which could be ferried between stations.

Videotaping the victim identifying the suspect behind a screen.

Rape crisis centres and victims’ organisations have repeatedly called for the system to be changed. This involves the victim standing in front of his or her attacker and identifying them in person as the suspect.

Last month, the Criminal Law Review Group, set up by Mr McDowell, recommended allowing identification through a one-way screen “as far as practicable” but added it was not clear whether a change in law was required.

“I support this recommendation in principle and I am considering it with a view to determining how it should be implemented,” Mr McDowell said.

“Should dedicated rooms with galleries, lighting and so on be established? Should a portable screen be used, which could be transported between garda stations.”

The Tánaiste told the Dáil this would involve logistics and resources exercises.

“If a mirror is placed in every garda station, how often will it be used? Should mirrors be deployed on a divisional basis or would it be better to use a portable unit, which could permit a witness to identify somebody where he or she was being detained rather than bringing him or her to a station in which the one-way mirror system was in place?”

He said the system used was based on advice from the State’s law officers.

“It involves each participant in an identity parade being assigned a number. To ensure there is no doubt as to the person the victim or witness has identified, it is necessary that a clear identification is made. This may be done in a number of ways, including pointing or stating the position or number of a person on the line-up or stating a number assigned to them.”

Green Party justice spokesman Ciarán Cuffe said it was not “rocket science” to retrofit one-way glass in an office in a garda station and that such a room could be used as a normal office for the rest of the time. He said it was simply a matter of adjusting the lighting behind the glass.

“This would be a small, but practical, step to make victims of crime feel safer when coming forward to report a crime. It would also send a signal that the Government and the gardaí will provide support for people who have been through traumatic events.

“It is grossly traumatic for a rape victim to have to face his or her attacker, look the person in the eye and, if not touch them on the shoulder, make a sign that the person attacked him or her,” Mr Cuffe said.

Mr McDowell said: “I agree with the deputy that this is an urgent matter.”