26 July 2011

Photo identity

Enjoying R v Melissa Nicole Carpenter [2011] ACTSC 71, both for the explication of evidence law and the snapshots of the interaction between alleged offenders and police.

The headnotes are as follows -
EVIDENCE – identification parades – refusal to take part in identification parade –requirements for effective refusal for Evidence Act 1995 ss 114 and 115 – no requirement for suspect to obtain legal advice – no requirement for suspect to be informed of all details of specific identification parade before refusal – refusal unless lawyer advises participation in identification parade is a refusal, not a conditional agreement.

EVIDENCE – picture identification evidence – digital photograph of suspect does not cease to be that photograph by being loaded onto a computer database, converted into “jpg” format, emailed, or copied into PowerPoint format, having its colour levels changed or having its pixelation or file size reduced or increased – photograph of suspect does not cease to be that photograph by reason of editing to remove an image of removable jewellery such as a small facial stud – no requirement for photograph used in identification process to show only the features specified by the witness.

EVIDENCE – identification processes – minor change in suspect’s appearance since offence was committed does not “protect” suspect from invitation to take part in identification parade or from use of photograph in photo board process.