NY Daily Record Since 1908
NEW YORK CITY — Prosecutors and police agencies across New York state have come up with a set of uniform rules to govern how witnesses identify suspects.
The guidelines include how to instruct witnesses before they try to pick out suspects in a photo array. There’s also training on how to conduct a fair and neutral identification procedure. A new form guides officers through the protocols.
The guidelines were developed by the Best Practices Committee of the New York State District Attorneys Association.
Warren County District Attorney Kate Hogan says some cases across the state have been thrown out because judges decided that the identification of the suspect was obtained wrongfully.
Hogan says it’s the first time state agencies have come together and the guidelines will continue to change as needed.
