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Original Footage Vs. Digital Video Copies

Guest post by: Edward Primeau

Article Overview: As a video forensic expert, I want to examine original video when it is submitted as evidence in litigation. When anyone makes a copy, they have the discretion to copy only the video they feel is relevant instead of all the video recorded regarding the events that actually took place. It is crucial to preserve the original footage’s multiple views of the incident in case of necessary forensic examination. If I can prove scientifically that the original footage-needed to view the facts as they originally occurred-has been intentionally deleted, then I have served a purpose in that litigation.

Original Footage Vs. Digital Video Copies

Spoliation of evidence seems to be a growing trend in a time when digital storage has never been more affordable. Every litigation case that involves digital evidence should maintain the custody of the original evidence until the litigation is completed.

I am amazed by the number of cases I work on that no longer have original evidence available for forensic examination. Police cars that use digital CCTV systems have cards that record footage. These cards should be kept until the litigation is over. Instead, I experience the police department transferring the video onto the departments’ video system, which is then burned to a DVD. This DVD is then labeled original when in fact it is not the original.

I wish I had a dime for every time I hear “the original footage has been deleted”. As a video forensic expert, I want to examine original video when it is submitted as evidence in litigation. When anyone makes a copy, they have the discretion to copy only the video they feel is relevant instead of all the video recorded regarding the events that actually took place.

I understand that the original footage has been deleted from the CCTV system that was used to record the events and is no longer available for forensic examination. However, based on my 25+ years as a video forensic expert, it is my understanding that all digital closed circuit television systems store video footage']);"> digital video footage once it has been flagged as an event and/or they export footage to external media like a CD or thumb drive. Plus, the systems administrative log will have a record of who exported the video to a CD and who deleted or removed the footage from the system.

When I examine administrative logs, I often find that the footage was intentionally deleted, like I found in the Chicago E2 nightclub disaster. The systems administrator’s intentional deletion of Chicago E2 nightclub footage kept anyone from knowing the truth surrounding the events that led to several people being trampled to death during a panic following a pepper spraying by a security guard.

It is crucial to preserve the original footage’s multiple views of the incident in case of necessary forensic examination. If I can prove scientifically that the original footage—needed to view the facts as they originally occurred—has been intentionally deleted, then I have served a purpose in that litigation.

There are many cameras and CCTV systems in place throughout the public and private sectors of the USA and many other countries. Video evidence in courtrooms has increased dramatically over the last ten years. Professional and nonprofessional CCTV (closed circuit television systems) are available on the Internet and in many retail establishments. As a forensic video expert, I receive video footage']);"> digital video footage that was recorded at private homes using non- or semiprofessional equipment. I have also examined CCTV footage recorded in retail stores by state-of-the-art high-end multi camera systems and police car digital CCTV footage.

If you are planning to submit digital video footage as evidence in litigation, you have to preserve the original video files for forensic examination. Digital copies can be provided to all interested parties for examination, but it is the original digital video recording that is the genuine evidence.

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Article Tags: back up, CCTV systems, crime, digital, digital video copies, digital video footage, DVD, original footage, original video files, police department, storage, video forensics, video forensics experts
Referred by: http://www.rgrondeauenterprises.com



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