Website's 'mugshot of the day'

The current leader on today's 'vote for which mugshot you like best' online poll, 20-yr-old Katrina Dierx.

A poll on a southern US sheriff's website recalls the "choose the best looking student" piece of software created at Harvard by future Facebook billionaire Mark Zuckerberg, as featured in the film The Social Network.

Except in this case, it's people charged with crimes, not university scholars, who feature in the gallery.

Visitors to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office website are encouraged to vote on "which mugshot you like best" from among the suspects being held.

Currently the vote leader is a young woman - who appears endearing and angelic until you realise she's wanted for murder and armed robbery - named Katrina Bree Dierx.

The website has come under fire from privacy groups over the public display of all the alleged felons, who are charged with crimes but not yet convicted of them.

However, Sheriff Joe Arpaio says he's had plenty of positive feedback.

He said he's putting these people's images on the web because someone might recognise the person, and connect them to an unsolved crime on the sheriff's department's files.

"I think it's a great law enforcement technique," he told media.

A poll on the site would seem to back up his words; over 80 per cent of people who have taken part say 'Yes', it's a good idea.

However, in a Comment posted on the website, 'Laura' makes the following point:

"If these people had been tried and convicted there might be more of a case made for it. But they are still only suspects, and presumably some are innocent and may in due course be legally found so.

"For that reason, I find this a disgusting abuse of both privacy and police privilege. How would any one of us like to be posted as a felon without the benefit of a trial first?"

- NZHERALD STAFF