Viper System - Video Identification Parade Electrionic Recording

The Viper System was invented by the police and is a (Video identification parade electronic recording) it has being used for the past 30 years. The West Yorkshire police own and manage the Viper system which all UK police use to produce video identification (ID parades). Over thirty police forces in the UK rely on the Viper system to produce ID parades for them. This system has become very successful and has even routinely being presented in courts for many years. 

Viper System Image

A victim may be asked to view a short DVD of the Identity parade in which the 3 minute clip contains videos of each head shot of whom the accused could turn out to be. Each person shown on the video will be in front of a blank either gray or white background and will turn their head either left or right but all will be the same so as not to make anyone stand out for any peculiar reason. 

Another example of what Viper looks like.

Occasionally teams will travel around the UK taking with them a mobile unit in which they take mobile recordings of volunteers performing a simple head turn. A one-off cash payment is received by every volunteer upon successful completion of the recording. The video recordings are then stored on the database along with any other vital information in which the police may need in case in the future a person decides to commit any criminal activity.

Some of the benefits to using Viper are:

• Applies to national standards for an ID parade.
• Extensive database of volunteers/actors/public with a range of appearance.
• Simple and fast process.
• Accused does not come into contact with the witness.
• Large database of appearances for ID parades.

50,000 ID parades are produced each year for 32 police forces in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.  Viper means there are increased chances for the police forces to conduct a video ID parade. The Viper system ensures that there are enough volunteers to appear alongside a suspect and that material being used complies with all national standards.