Written question asked by Claire Curtis-Thomas (Labour) on Monday, 8 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 November 2004. It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Thursday, 18 November 2004 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the findings of the pilots on suspect interviews. - Including figures.

Answer: Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the findings of the pilots on suspect interviews. [197448] Ms Blears: The pilot study on the introduction of visual recording of police interviews with suspects was carried out in five police force areas between May 2002 and September 2003. Evaluation of the scheme was carried out by independent researchers aimed at identifying the implications of the recording technology and the benefits to the criminal justice system. The evaluation followed the progress of over 6,000 interviews subject to visual recording of interviews with suspects and compared results with progress on 2,000 audio-only recorded interviews. The research found no discernible difference in terms of criminal justice outcomes. The report is being assessed by independent external reviewers, potentially with a view to publication on the RDS website in spring 2005.

Secondary information