SIA CCTV Evidence Handling 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the main risk of using digital enhancement on CCTV evidence?
- It always improves the evidence
- It could be argued that the enhancement has altered or fabricated evidence (Correct answer)
- It reduces file size
- There are no risks
Correct answer: It could be argued that the enhancement has altered or fabricated evidence
Digital enhancement can be challenged in court as potentially altering the original evidence. Any enhancement must be documented, the original preserved, and the process must be transparent and repeatable.
Question 2: What is the correct procedure for storing CCTV evidence that has been secured for an investigation?
- Store it on a personal USB drive
- Store it in a secure, access-controlled location with a documented chain of custody (Correct answer)
- Email it to all relevant parties
- Keep it on the main recording system
Correct answer: Store it in a secure, access-controlled location with a documented chain of custody
Evidence must be stored in a secure, access-controlled location to prevent tampering or unauthorised access. Every access must be documented in the chain of custody log.
Question 3: What type of media is commonly used to export CCTV evidence for police?
- VHS tape
- A write-once disc (CD-R or DVD-R) (Correct answer)
- Social media upload
- Floppy disk
Correct answer: A write-once disc (CD-R or DVD-R)
Write-once media such as CD-R or DVD-R is preferred because once data is written, it cannot be altered. This helps prove the evidence has not been tampered with.
Question 4: An operator is asked to produce a witness statement about CCTV footage. What should it contain?
- Only their personal opinion about the incident
- Factual details of what they observed, their actions, the equipment used, and the evidence handling process (Correct answer)
- A summary written from memory weeks later
- Only the suspect's description
Correct answer: Factual details of what they observed, their actions, the equipment used, and the evidence handling process
A witness statement should contain factual information: what the operator saw, what actions they took, the equipment and camera details, time stamps, and how the evidence was handled and secured.
Question 5: What could happen if the chain of custody for CCTV evidence is broken?
- Nothing — it has no effect
- The evidence could be deemed inadmissible in court (Correct answer)
- The operator receives a promotion
- The footage automatically improves in quality
Correct answer: The evidence could be deemed inadmissible in court
If the chain of custody is broken, the defence can argue that the evidence may have been tampered with or contaminated, potentially making it inadmissible in court.
Question 6: When making copies of CCTV evidence, what is the most important consideration?
- Making as many copies as possible
- Ensuring the original recording is preserved and the copy is verified as accurate (Correct answer)
- Converting it to the smallest file size
- Adding background music to the footage
Correct answer: Ensuring the original recording is preserved and the copy is verified as accurate
The original recording must always be preserved intact, and any copies must be verified as accurate reproductions. This protects the integrity of the evidence.
SIA CCTV Evidence Handling 2
What is the main risk of using digital enhancement on CCTV evidence?