The picture was used during the investigation because it was part of the investigation, but my concern is with the media’s use of it. Its NOT in the public interest to see that picture, its merely being used to heighten a sense of alarm that rape stories “need to have” if you are producing a of headline (read: sales figures inducing) grabbing story.
The test for this sort of thing is, is it in the public interest? But that’s a test that has long been ignored. This case demonstrates that perfectly. Now the guy has been arrested, what is the public’s interest in seeing an unhelpful, and un-useful photofit that doesn’t add to the story… none, its being used to enforce stereotypes and because its “another” angle to try and show that the journos have done their job and cover the story from all angles. Its also more interesting for the readership of the BBC site, than just another picture of a house with some police tape in front of it…
BUT FUNDAMENTALLY it is useless, AND misleading. And NOT in the public interest AT ALL.