Video Games: Some Pitfalls of Video Evidence

CCTV evidence is regularly employed in criminal cases, yet there has been relatively little consideration of the manner in which such evidence is collected and subsequently handled. The use of CCTV evidence raises issues of disclosure, data protection and human rights, all of which have a far-reaching impact not only on the accused but also on others who find themselves recorded by surveillance systems. In addition, much of the video evidence collected during criminal investigations comes from third parties, such as shops and commercial premises, which are outside the direct control of the police. This only serves to compound the difficulty of managing such material within the investigative and trial processes.