NCJ Number
43573
Journal
Australian Police Journal Volume: 31 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY 1977) Pages: 132-142
Date Published
1977
Length
11 pages
Annotation
PARTICIPATION BY OFFENDERS IN MOTION PICTURE REENACTMENTS TO CORROBORATE WRITTEN OR VERBAL CONFESSION IS DECRIBED IN A DISCUSSION OF TECHNIQUES USED BY THE VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA, POLICE FORCE.
Abstract
THE HISTORY OF PHOTOGRAPHY AS AN INVESTIGATIVE AID AND OF LAW RELATING TO CONFESSIONAL EVIDENCE IN VICTORIA IS TRACED. EVENTS LEADING TO THE INCEPTION OF FILMED REENACTMENTS ARE RECOUNTED. EARLY CAPITAL CASES IN WHICH FILMED REENACTMENTS WERE OFFERED AS EVIDENCE ARE NOTED, AND SIGNIFICANT RULINGS BY THE VICTORIA SUPREME COURT WITH REGARD TO THE ADMISSIBILITY OF FILMED CORROBORATIVE EVIDENCE ARE CITED. STEPS TO BE FOLLOWED BY INVESTIGATORS IN SUPERVISING THE PREPARATION OF FILMED REENACTMENTS ARE DISCUSSED. IT IS NOTED THAT FILMS TENDERED AS EVIDENCE SHOULD SHOW THE ACCUSED PERFORMING A FREE AND VOLUNTARY DEMONSTRATION OF THE COMMISSION OF A CRIME. PROCEDURES FOR FILMING REENACTMENTS ARE OUTLINED RELATIVE TO SECURITY, THE PHOTOGRAPHER, OTHER PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN THE FILMING, THE SUSPECT, USE OF WEAPONS IN THE REENACTMENT, FILMING LOCATION, COUNTINUITY OF THE FILM, AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT WHEN FILMED REENACTMENTS ARE PRODUCED DURING CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS, VICTORIA POLICE FIND THAT THEIR EVIDENCE USUALLY IS UNCHALLENGED AND THAT ACCUSATIONS RELATED TO POLICE CONDUCT ARE LESS FREQUENT.