QUESTION
How Do You Ensure Double Blind Photo Arrays Are a Fair Practice?
0:36:18
·
112 sec
Council Member Ariola inquires about the fairness of double blind photo array procedures. The NYPD explains the process of creating and administering these arrays to ensure fairness. The process involves a computer randomly selecting photos based on physical characteristics, sealing them in an envelope, and then having them handled by a detective uninvolved in the case. In cases involving entire squads, a detective from outside is brought in. The NYPD emphasizes a strict protocol to avoid any suggestion during the identification process, including a standardized script and steps to ensure witnesses have no preconceived notions about the suspects.
Joann Ariola
0:36:18
So with a double blind photo arrays when they're prepared and administered, you've said before, but I think it needs to be said again how do you ensure they are a fair practice?
Joseph Kenny
0:36:34
Just just the fact that the photographs themselves rated by a computer and and not done by the detected themselves.
0:36:41
So that selective randomly by the computer based on physical characteristics.
0:36:45
You know, so they, you know, are are similar in their appearance.
0:36:48
So it it it's, you know, done fairly and and just.
0:36:51
But the the key is the fact that it's then sealed in an envelope and handed to another detective that has absolutely nothing to do with the case.
0:37:00
And in some instances where, you know, with some staffing limitations, if there is a high profile case, a homicide or a non fatal shooting where the entire squad is working on a case and an entire squad is familiar with the case, we'll actually have a detective from an outside squad.
0:37:17
Come in to administer that photo.
0:37:19
Right?
0:37:20
Just to assure, you know, so we have quality assurance that makes nothing suggestive is is being done.
0:37:26
There's a strict script that has to be read at every photo, right, even at the notification process when we you know, notify a witness or a victim to come down, or we're gonna come bring the photo over to them.
0:37:38
You know, we're not allowed to say, hey.
0:37:39
We have a picture with a guy that did it.
0:37:41
Uh-huh.
Yusef Salaam
0:37:42
Do you
Joseph Kenny
0:37:42
We're gonna want you to look at it.
0:37:43
We don't even we don't give any suggestion whatsoever.
0:37:46
It's almost kinda like a blank statement you know, borderline rude, you know, when we speak to them is that we give them absolutely no information of what's going on in that photo array.
0:37:56
And then they unseal it themselves.
0:37:58
And then they the photo array is administered.
0:38:01
You know, often some some cases, it's audio tape.
0:38:04
The work the the review of of the photo array is actually audio tape.
0:38:08
Based on the on the witness's discretion.
