Best Practices for the Retrieval of Video Evidence from Digital CCTV Systems

The purpose of this guide is to provide the best methods for the retrieval of video data evidence from Digital Closed Circuit Television (DCCTV) recording systems.These best practices, guidelines and recommendations are intended to provide responding Law Enforcement personnel guidance in securing and collecting video data from DCCTV systems. This will ensure that best methods are utilized to retrieve the recorded data and maintain its integrity.The retrieved video data should be retained as the master evidence. Whenever possible, the native/proprietary recorded video data from the DCCTV recording system should be retrieved to maintain the integrity and image quality of the evidence.These guidelines are meant to inform agencies of the best practices for DCCTV retrieval and to aid in the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). These practices should be used in conjunction with current agency policies.