(Pictures: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)
A new device to enhance images of bruising to women and girls who suffer violence is now being used by the Met to catch predators.
The gadget has been developed by police to make clearer evidence of injuries prosecute attackers.
The ‘bruising detector’, as it has been described Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, enhances pictures of bruising, particularly on darker skin where the wounds might not be so evident.
It’s produced by a 3-D printer and is the first in the world to be used in crime fighting.
It has been trialled by police in Croydon, which has seen a 12 per cent jump on charges, thanks to clearer images allowing prosecutors to prepare a stronger case.
(Pictures: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)
The device, produced under a Met operation called Project Archway, provides a polarised filter so that the picture will highlight bruising or scarred tissue.
The technology is already being used for post-mortem investigations and other forensic applications.
Commissioner Rowley hailed the device as a ‘game changer’ in the battle to bring predators to justice as he unveiled the technology at the Met’s forensics lab in Lambeth, south London.
He said: ‘We have made big strides in protecting women and girls from predatory men and this new device is a bold symbol of our transformation.
This Is Not Right
On November 25, 2024 Metro launched This Is Not Right, a year-long campaign to address the relentless epidemic of violence against women.
With the help of our partners at Women’s Aid, This Is Not Right aims to shine a light on the sheer scale of this national emergency.
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‘The Met is leading nationally on innovation that puts victims first. We are the only police force to develop this type of front line technology and we’re already seeing how it strengthens evidence, builds trust, and ensures victims feel seen and heard from the moment they report abuse.’
One officer added: ‘I think this is a great invention and addition to front line police and would like to see it get to the point where it can either be personal issue or one in every vehicle.
‘The images I was able to capture really highlighted the injuries caused to a young child, the initial pictures of the victim showed reddening and slight bruising but after using the device it showed the true extent of the injuries.’
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: ‘This cutting edge technology will be rolled out across London and is the latest milestone in the Met’s action, backed by funding from City Hall, to rebuild trust and bring more perpetrators to justice.’
In 2024 more then 123,000 reports of violence against women and girls (VAWG) were reported to the Met.
In response Scotland Yard has set up the V100 project to catch the most dangerous offenders.
It has already secured 129 convictions and seen 154 serious charges brought.
Three quarters of those on the V100 list are multiple offenders accused of rape, sexual assault, and even murder.
The Met is hoping the new ‘bruising detector’ will help bring more predators to justice.
A number of high-profile cases have shocked Londoners by the level of violence against women.
One of the most horrific was the murder of legal worker Zara Aleena in Ilford three years ago. She was walking home after a night out with friends when she was ambushed and fatally attacked by Jordan McSweeney.
Minister for Safeguarding and Violence against Women and Girls Jess Phillips said: ‘I welcome the police forces using every lever at their disposal to support victims from all backgrounds and ensure perpetrators face justice.
‘It is essential that these crimes are treated with the utmost seriousness. By doing so we can build communities where people feel safe and deliver on our mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade.’
The Met only has a limited number of devices but is planning to supply every police station with one and for police vehicles eventually to carry them.’
