SIA CCTV Evidence Handling & Incident Response

Question 1

When preserving CCTV footage as evidence, what is the most important step to ensure its integrity?

Accepted Answer

Export footage to a secure, write-protected medium (such as a DVD or encrypted USB drive), creating a complete and unedited copy with full chain of custody documentation

Answer

Email the footage to the relevant manager

Answer

Copy the footage to a shared network drive immediately

Answer

Overwrite the original recording with a compressed copy to save storage space

Question 2

What is the 'chain of custody' in the context of CCTV evidence?

Accepted Answer

The documented record of who has had possession of the evidence, when, and for what purpose — from seizure to court presentation — ensuring it has not been tampered with

Answer

The network connection linking cameras to the recording system

Answer

The chain of command for authorising CCTV access

Answer

The legal chain of ownership of the CCTV system

Question 3

Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE), how can police obtain CCTV footage from a private operator?

Accepted Answer

By requesting voluntary disclosure (which operators can agree to), or by obtaining a Production Order from a magistrate under PACE Schedule 1

Answer

Police have an automatic right to all CCTV footage at any time

Answer

Only through a court order signed by a High Court judge

Answer

Police cannot access private CCTV footage under any circumstances

Question 4

What information should be recorded on a CCTV evidence log when footage is extracted for evidential purposes?

Accepted Answer

Date and time of extraction, the incident the footage relates to, the period covered, the format and medium used, the name/signature of the person extracting it, and who the footage was given to

Answer

Only the date and time of extraction

Answer

The full names of everyone appearing in the footage

Answer

The camera serial numbers and installation dates only

Question 5

Why is CCTV footage considered 'best evidence' in court proceedings?

Accepted Answer

Because it is a direct, contemporaneous visual record of events that provides objective evidence of what occurred, which is harder to dispute than witness testimony alone

Answer

Because it is always admissible and cannot be challenged

Answer

Because it replaces the need for any witness evidence

Answer

Because the judge must accept it without question

Question 6

If a CCTV operator is asked to edit or delete footage before it is handed to police, what should they do?

Accepted Answer

Refuse, as editing or deleting evidential footage could constitute perverting the course of justice or a data protection breach, and report the request to an appropriate authority

Answer

Comply if the request comes from a senior manager

Answer

Check with the legal department before deciding

Answer

Delete only the portions the police do not specifically ask for