Attending a video identification parade

If you have been a victim of a crime or have seen the face of someone committing an offence then you may be asked to attend a police station to view a video identification parade.

To carry out these parades, Avon and Somerset Police use a system called Video Identification Parade Electronic Recording (VIPER).

What is a video identification parade?

A video identification parade is a short film. It may be a series of video clips or still photos. It is approximately three minutes long and contains a series of head and shoulder video clips. These images are made up of the suspect and a number of images of volunteers who have a similar appearance to the suspect. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not used to generate any of the images.

The video below shows a demonstration film that is representative of what you might be shown:

A video identification parade normally consists of nine images. This includes the suspect and eight people with a similar appearance to the suspect, as outlined by the Police and Criminal Evidence Act. You will be allowed to view the film multiple times.

Your appointment

Your appointment will be conducted by a specialist member of police staff known as an Identification Officer. Identification Officers are independent of the investigation and will not be able to provide updates on the progress of the case; any enquiries relating to the investigation should be directed to the Officer in Charge (OIC).

Locations

Video identification parades are carried out at the following locations:

Bridgwater Police Centre
Express Park
Bristol Road
Bridgwater
TA6 4RR

Patchway Police Centre
90 Gloucester Road 
Patchway
South Gloucestershire
BS34 6PY 

Keynsham Police Centre
Ashmead Road 
Keynsham
BS31 1SA