BS 8495:2007 Code of practice for digital CCTV recording systems for the purpose of image export to be used as evidence
The demand for this British Standard is based on the change in technology away from the video cassette recorder (VCR) medium. In many cases this has been replaced by digital CCTV recording system (DCRS) technology with the result that specifiers and end users require guidance.
The rapid change towards DCRS technology is based on improved reliability, ease of use, ability to search for specific recorded data quickly, no need for daily attention, in particular, relating to the constant requirement to change video tapes and the retention thereof.
This British Standard does not attempt to establish a preference for the digital recording medium to be adopted but does recommend the areas that should be considered when adopting DCRS technology.
The handling of evidential digital images within the Criminal Justice System is covered by the Digital Imaging Procedure, which states that digital recording technology provides no original that could be produced in evidence. All that is available for use as evidence is a copy of the first, probably temporary, recording in memory, and this will be admissible as evidence.
Its weight and admissibility as evidence can be influenced by:
- Whether the image’s audit trail from the digital recording device to the court is robust
- Whether the integrity of the image can be proven
It is at the court’s discretion whether the evidence is deemed admissible.
Attention is drawn to the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA).
For further information refer to the CCTV Code of Practice published by the Information Commissioner’s Office.
The demand for this British Standard is based on the change in technology away from the video cassette recorder (VCR) medium. In many cases this has been replaced by digital CCTV recording system (DCRS) technology with the result that specifiers and end users require guidance.
The rapid change towards DCRS technology is based on improved reliability, ease of use, ability to search for specific recorded data quickly, no need for daily attention, in particular, relating to the constant requirement to change video tapes and the retention thereof.
This British Standard does not attempt to establish a preference for the digital recording medium to be adopted but does recommend the areas that should be considered when adopting DCRS technology.
The handling of evidential digital images within the Criminal Justice System is covered by the Digital Imaging Procedure, which states that digital recording technology provides no original that could be produced in evidence. All that is available for use as evidence is a copy of the first, probably temporary, recording in memory, and this will be admissible as evidence.
Contents of BS 8495 include:
- Scope
- Normative references
- Terms, definitions and abbreviations
- General recommendations
- Fitness for purpose of recorded images
- Audit trail
- Image integrity
- Time and date integrity
- Storage
- Export of images
- Replay of exported images
- Bibliography