Inquiry into eyewitness identification evidence

Te Kāhui Tātari Ture | Criminal Cases Review Commission has completed its Section 12 Inquiry into eyewitness identification evidence in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Inquiry examined whether improvements could be made to strengthen the reliability of eyewitness identification evidence and reduce the risk of miscarriages of justice. Following consultation and expert engagement, the Inquiry focused on formal identification procedures under section 45 of the Evidence Act 2006. 

The final report makes three recommendations to strengthen New Zealand's legislative safeguards for eyewitness identification evidence by:

• strengthening the legal requirements for formal eyewitness identification procedures
• expanding the definition of visual identification evidence
• clarifying when formal identification procedures may be dispensed with

Report: Eyewitness Identification evidence in Aotearoa | New Zealand

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