Met uses new tech to record bruising on dark skin

The Metropolitan Police is to roll out a device that makes it easier to see and photograph bruises on victims of violence, amid efforts to prosecute more violent offenders.

The tool improves colour contrast, highlighting injuries that may be invisible to the naked eye, and is particularly effective on those with darker skin whose bruises might show up less readily.

Officers have previously faced challenges trying to gather visible evidence of some injuries, which could limit the chance of successful prosecutions, according to the Met.

Following a trial, the tool is to be widely used on the front line and in custody suites, which could help improve conviction rates, the force says.

The Met said it could be a "game-changing development in the ongoing fight against violence towards women and girls".

During a pilot in south London, the tool was used on 33 occasions and charges were brought in 45% of these cases, the Met said.

Several other incidents remain under investigation after the technology was used in evidence-gathering.

One officer who was involved in the trial said: "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."

"Bruises can be hard to see sometimes, particularly on darker skin," Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said.

"It's pretty sad that it's harder to prosecute people who assault people who are a darker skin colour.

"This device looks through that," Sir Mark told the BBC.

"You see the full extent of the bruise, even on very dark skin, and that helps us get prosecutions because it gives better evidence to the court."

Additional reporting by Thomas Magill

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