BREAK AWAY SESSION – CAMPROSA CONFERENCE

ON BOARD M.S.C. SINFONIA 8-11 NOVEMBER 2011

FORENSIC EVALUATION OF CCTV FOOTAGE

Camprosa conference 8-11 november 2011

CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION (CCTV)

Camprosa conference 8-11 november 2011

CCTV is a technology system of surveillance by cameras, set up and used by public authorities on public places for crime prevention and crime prosecution (Carli:2008)

Principally used in America, Australia, UK and South Africa in crime prevention to monitor criminal behaviour, establish crime patterns, tool in management of fire and emergency situations, traffic control and to monitor crowd behaviour at mass gatherings and demonstrations (De Beer,2011)

USE OF CCTV CAMERAS

Camprosa conference 8-11 november 2011

IN WHICH OF THESE AREAS IS CCTV OF THE MOST USE TO YOU

FOR ASSISTANCE WITH INVESTIGATIONFOR EVIDENCE GATHERINGCRIME REDUCTION

EFFECTIVENESS

Camprosa conference 8-11 november 2011

LONDON – 1000 CCTV cameras in use. 2008 only 3% of crimes solved using CCTV images

WHY?Failure of police to detect images in their

investigationPoor presentation of CCTV footage as

evidence in courtCCTV footage primarily perceived by British

Police as a crime prevention tool and not an aid in detecting crime (Bowcott,2008)

SOLVABILITY FACTORS

Camprosa conference 8-11 november 2011

Was there a witness to the crime? Can the suspect be named? Can the suspect be located? Can the suspect be described? Can a suspect vehicle be identified? Is stolen property traceable? Is a clear suspect method of operation present? Is there significant physical evidence present? Is there a positive report on the physical evidence by a

technician? Can the case be solved by normal investigative effort? Could anyone other than the suspect have committed the

crime?(Gilbert, 2010)

CCTV ON CAMPUSES IN SOUTH AFRICA

23 universities use CCTV camera surveillance systems on their campuses for protection of students and staff

Camera footprints in some cases extend beyond campus grounds to inside faculty buildings and park and ride sites off campus

Systems usually monitored 24/7, recorded and linked to central control rooms on campus

All universities have a Protection services Unit employed by the university

Private universities are also beginning to institute campus security CCTV surveillance systems on their campuses

(Anthony Minnaar,2011)

Camprosa conference 8-11 november 2011

USE OF CCTV

Can provide leads to investigator of what suspect did at the crime scene for location and corroboration of physical evidence and witnesses testimony

Possible presence of other suspectsFrom footage – artists can be used to

enhance quality of picture. Sketch from CCTV footage and sketch from witness can be used to create more composite image.

Study of footage can reveal mistakes made by investigators. Unauthorised tactics and methods, if used by investigators, will be exposed

(De Beer 2011)

Camprosa conference 8-11 november 2011

CASE STUDY PRETORIA WEST MURDERS 2001

CCTV coverage petrol stationsSpeed checks by cameraATM’s

Camprosa conference 8-11 november 2011