CRIMINAL “DOUBLES.”

Hokitika Guardian, 10 April 1920, Page 4

CRIMINAL “DOUBLES.”

By L. Adam- in “Daily Mail.”

The case of Mr Perkins, of Wolverhampton, recalls tlio notorious case of Adolph Beck and many others of a similar nature. Mr Perkins is said to have been the victim of a criminal “double,” who is guilty of the offences for which he, Mr Perkins has been several times arrested and with which he has been

charged. Til most startling case of a “double” of which I have had personal knowledge was that ojf a man of my acquaintance in the legal profession. His “double” was also a lawyer and climax of coincidence, lie boro the same name! One day I received news of the death of, as I supposed, my friend. I imparted tlio sad fact to one of our magistrates, who had known the man many years, and who expressed surprise and regret-. Shortly afterwards I was sitting in one of the courts at the Old Bailey, when ■ suddenly a cold shiver went down my spine as a door opened and in walked the man who was “dead”! For the moment I sat spellbound. Subsequent inquiries revealed that it was the other man, the “double,” who had died. But .when we get these so-called “doubles” happening in connection with crime, there impinges upon them a far more serious topic for our consideration, and that is the method prevailing in the police force of obtaining evidence of identification. The police themselves are not tq blame for Its utilisation, as they arc merely carrying out instructions.

As it may not be generally known, let me briefly explain how evidence of identification is procured. When a man is arrested and the question of identification arises, he is supposed to be placed with a number of other men who are presumed to bear a facial and physical resemblance to him. For this purpose the police are empowered to go into the public highway and call upon any passer-by to assist in the ceremony.

On the very face of it, it seems a highly improbable thing that about a dozen men can be got together in a. short space of time who shall so resemble one another as to constitute a reliable “test.” Nature is not so prolific as all that with her “doubles.” Witnesses are directed to inspect these men and pick out the man they have in their minds. Thus has the curtain been “rung up” on many a real life tragedy! Details of the personal appearance of the “wanted” man somehow or other contrive to leak out and help to “inspire” the witnesses. ] remember a case sortie years ago m the provinces where the “wanted” man was known to be a Jew, and the man who was wrongfully arrested was aiso r. Jew. To be identified properly he should of course have been placed among a number of jews, but as these were not readily procurable, Gentileswere pressed into service. The man was eventually proved innocent, but not before he had suffered for the guilty—for the guilt of tlie criminal and of the officials. It seems to me that it is due to the good name of the judical, system of this country that the grave business of personal identification in cases of crime should he so conducted as to he beyond risk or reproach.