Meaning and Purpose of the Test Identification Parade (TIP)
A Test Identification Parade (TIP) is a procedural tool used during investigation to verify whether a witness can correctly identify an accused person involved in a crime. TIP is not expressly provided in the Evidence Act but derives its authority from Section 9 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, which deals with identification of persons and things. The primary purpose is to test the memory and observational capacity of eyewitnesses before their testimony is recorded in court. Courts have consistently held that TIP serves as corroborative evidence and cannot be treated as substantive evidence. It ensures fairness in investigation by preventing the police from presenting an already known suspect, thus reducing the chances of suggestive identification and wrongful implication.
Procedures and Legal Requirements of TIP
The TIP is conducted by a Judicial Magistrate to ensure impartiality, usually soon after the arrest of the suspect to avoid memory fading. The accused is placed among several individuals of similar appearance, and the witness is asked to identify them without any external influence. According to judicial guidelines and the spirit of Section 162 CrPC, the statement made during TIP is not substantive evidence but is used to corroborate the identification made in court. Courts stress that failure to hold a TIP does not automatically invalidate an identification in court but weakens its evidentiary value. Similarly, if the suspect’s face was shown to the witness prior to the TIP, the test loses credibility under principles of fair investigation.
Evidentiary Value and Limitations
TIP is only a preparatory step for trial and cannot replace dock identification. Courts generally rely on TIP to validate the reliability of eyewitnesses, especially when the accused is unfamiliar to them. TIP gains significance in cases of robbery, assault, and group crimes, where multiple suspects are involved. However, the evidentiary value is limited because TIP is not conducted under oath, and cross-examination is not available at this stage. Moreover, delays in conducting TIP, improper parade procedures, or prior exposure of the accused greatly reduce its reliability. Judicial precedents emphasize that TIP must be voluntary, unbiased, and conducted in strict compliance with established guidelines for it to have corroborative weight under Section 9.
Real-Time Example
In a recent assault case, a shopkeeper was attacked by two masked men at night. Although the lighting was dim, the shopkeeper had briefly seen one attacker’s face. After the police arrested a suspect, a Test Identification Parade was conducted before a Magistrate. The accused stood among eight volunteers with similar appearance. The witness immediately pointed out the suspect based on facial structure and voice tone. During trial, this identification was used as corroborative evidence, strengthening the prosecution’s case. Even though the defense argued that the witness’s memory could have been unreliable, the timely and properly conducted TIP increased the court’s confidence in the identification made during trial.
Mnemonic to Remember TIP
Mnemonic: “S-P-E-E-D”
- S – Suspect placed among similar persons
- P – Parade conducted by Magistrate
- E – Ensures fairness and prevents suggestion
- E – Evidence is only corroborative (Section 9)
- D – Delay weakens identification
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