§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of images processed by the Metropolitan police scientific research and development branch's photographic enhancement service for the year 1985–86; if he will give a breakdown on the basis of picture source, type of subject and type of 507W crime; if he will indicate whether these figures include video film; and if he will state whether the scientific research and development branch enhances video pictures.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe Metropolitan police video tape laboratory, which enhances video tapes only, processed 629 video tapes in the year eneded 31st March 1986. The great majority of these related to offences of theft or criminal damage. 520 were supplied by private bodies and 109 by the police. Computer enhancement was used in 60 cases; four police tapes were enhanced for training purposes and 56 tapes were enhanced to identify suspects for the following offences:
Offence Police tapes Private tapes Theft and fraud 4 46 Criminal damage — 2 Murder 1 — Assault — 1 Public order 1 — Drugs 1 — In addition, the Home Office Scientific Research and Development Branch examined three cases for the Metropolitan police in the year in question. In two cases still photographs were enhanced; one of people suspected of offences of violence, the other of a vehicle in relation to suspected theft. One video film belonging to a private firm was enhanced to attempt to identify people in connection with a murder inquiry.