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Sunday Night once again accused of rehashing 60 Minutes yarn

Sunday Night has once again opened itself up to criticism by tackling a story similar to one that's previously appeared on arch-rival 60 Minutes.

Eyebrows were raised at Channel Nine earlier this week after Seven began promoting an upcoming story about 'super recognisers', a small group of people who never forget a face.

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The story takes a look at how police are using talented individuals to catch criminals when the most up-to-date facial recognition technology misses the mark.

But the story has ruffled feathers at Nine because 60 Minutes did a similar story last year under the guidance of former producer Stephen Rice, who was sacked in the wake of the controversial Beirut kidnapping saga.

Eagle-eyed viewers would know Rice is now at Sunday Night, with the program previously accused of rehashing 60 Minutes yarns

Promos for the upcoming Sunday Night episode preview an interview with detective chief inspector Mick Neville. The Sunday night special will also briefly touch on the case of Steven Prince - a man who was locked up for six years thanks to Scotland Yard's super recogniser unit. Both men were featured in last year's 60 Minutes story

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"They may as well rename the program Back to the Future," said one senior 60 Minutes employee who did not wish to be named.

However, Sunday Night does add to  the story by taking a look at a test Australians can take to help determine whether or not they're a super recogniser. The program has enlisted the help of UNSW professor David White - one of the country's leading experts on forensic facial recognition - in a bid to find Australia's super recognisers. 

The super recogniser phenomenon has made headlines all over the world, with stories appearing everywhere from UK tabloids to The New Yorker

Sunday Night's story on super recognisers airs on Channel 7 this Sunday at 8pm. ​A Channel 7 spokeswoman declined to comment. 

Originally published on smh.com.au as 'Sunday Night once again accused of rehashing 60 Minutes yarn'.