Police standing order 6 (iv) (i) provides that an identifying witness in an identification parade must identify the suspect by touching.
This is to remove any doubt as to the identity of the suspect, but is it safe, to both the witness and the suspect? For instance, in a situation where the suspect allegedly hurt the witness or someone close to the witness, it would not be such a good idea for the witness to be allowed to lay his or her hands on the suspect.