Managing Digital Evidence from Body-Worn Cameras: Case Studies in Seven Sites

• NCJ Number: 305294
• Author(s): Craig D. Uchida; et al
• Date Published: March 2022
• Length: 83 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2019-BC-BX-K001
• Agencies: BJA-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Award: FY 19 Body-Worn Camera Program

Annotation

Using a case study approach, the main purpose of this study was to understand and explain the key challenges faced by law enforcement agencies and prosecutor offices as they use body-worn cameras (BWCs) and the digital evidence (footage) created by the technology.

Abstract

The processes for managing BWC involved footage in seven agencies: Two large police departments; two mid-size police departments; a Sheriff’s Office; and a collaborative effort in South Florida (Broward County State Attorney’s Office and Fort Lauderdale Police Department}. For each site, researchers conducted interviews via telephone or Zoom conference platform. The report is divided into six separate, site-based chapters and one concluding chapter that reports findings and recommendations. Each chapter describes how agencies selected their BWCs, the policies that guide their use, the flow of evidence internally and externally and unique characteristics of implementation within the sites. The last chapter summarizes the findings, conclusions, and recommendations.