NCJ Number
215252
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 33 Issue: 7 Dated: July 2006 Pages: 54,56-58,60-62,64,66
Date Published
July 2006
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This article examines the benefits of digital technology in recording interviews conducted in the interview rooms of police facilities, and it describes the specifications of digital recording equipment offered by various manufacturers.
Abstract
Compared to analog recording equipment, which requires the production of VHS tapes and playback in VCRs, digital cameras produce images that can be processed through computers for copying onto DVDs and CDs. This is an advantage because of the comparatively poor quality of VHS tape and the deterioration of tapes over time. Also, VHS tapes are time consuming to search. Further, investigators must review analog interview recordings at particular locations; whereas, digital recordings, if on a CD or network, can be viewed on a desk or home computer. Digital recordings can be more easily distributed to all those working on a case, and they require less storage space than VHS tapes. CDs and DVDs can hold more image and audio data than VHS tapes, which is an increasing advantage as agencies extend video recording to entire interviews, which can last for hours. As the use of digital technology in police interview-room recordings expands, so will the requirement to prove the authenticity of the recording in court. The use of digital signatures in interview room recording equipment will be the next technological progression in this area. The article concludes with a description of digital recording equipment available from FTR Limited in Phoenix, AZ; Louroe Electronics in Van Nuys, CA; and Net Transcripts in Scottsdale, AZ.