Videography of Crime Scenes
Videography of crime scenes is a crucial part of modern criminal investigations. It helps make sure everything is clear, keeps evidence safe and untouched, and ensures that video proof can be used in court. With new technology now deeply involved in our justice system, using video to record crime scenes has become a required practice.
The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, makes videography of crime scenes and other investigative procedures mandatory. The key provision is Section 176(3), which requires the videography of the evidence collection process for any offense punishable with imprisonment of seven years or more. Additionally, Section 105 and Section 185 mandate that the entire process of search and seizure by a police officer, including the preparation of a list of seized items, must be recorded through audio-video electronic means to ensure transparency. This use of technology is defined broadly in Section 2(a), which includes recording processes like identification, search, seizure, and evidence collection. The new law aims to strengthen the criminal justice system by increasing accountability and ensuring the integrity of evidence.
What We Aim to Do
- Record every detail of the crime scene fully and accurately.
- Protect the original location and context of all physical evidence.
- Help crime experts analyze evidence and assist judges and lawyers in reviewing cases.
- Make police investigations more open and responsible.
Before You Start Videography
Secure the Area
- Set up a barrier, like police tape or special fences, around the crime scene.
- Stop anyone who shouldn’t be there from entering to prevent them from messing up the evidence.
- Have officers watch who comes in and leaves the scene.
First Look
- Walk through the scene first to get a good idea of how it’s laid out and where all the evidence is.
- Figure out the best spots to videograph from so you capture everything clearly.
- Plan your videographing order: start with wide views, then move closer to specific areas, and finally get tight close-ups.
Check Your Gear
- Use high-quality video cameras that can record the exact date and time.
- Make sure there’s enough light, using extra portable lights if needed.
- Bring extra batteries, memory cards, and camera stands (tripods).
How to Videograph the Scene
Basic Rules
- Start your video recording by saying the date, time, location, case number, and your name out loud.
- Videograph the whole scene before anyone touches or moves anything.
- Keep videographing smoothly; don’t make sudden stops or cuts.
Wide Shots
- Film the entire area from different viewpoints.
- Show how people might have entered and left, the surrounding environment, and things like weather conditions.
Mid-Range Shots
- Get closer to specific interesting parts, like blood stains or broken items.
- Show how different pieces of evidence might be connected to each other.
Close-Up Shots
- Get very close shots of single pieces of evidence.
- Use rulers or labels next to the evidence in the shot to show its size or identify it.
- Speak out loud about important details like serial numbers, damage, or anything special about the item.
Recording Actions
- Film how evidence is carefully picked up and put into bags or containers.
- Document the entire process of searching for and taking items.
- Film forensic specialists when they are doing their work, like taking fingerprints or samples.
After Filming
Store and Protect
- Move the video files to a safe digital storage system that’s protected with encryption (a kind of digital lock).
- Keep a detailed record of everyone who handled the video evidence and when.
- Make extra copies of the videos and store them in different safe places.
Write a Report
Write a report about the video recording. This report should say:
- What camera and gear were used.
- How long you filmed and the order of your shots.
- Anything unusual or important you noticed.
Attach this report to the main case file.
Follow the Law
- Make sure the video follows legal rules (like Sections 57 and 63 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam) so it can be used as official evidence in court.
- Never change or improve the video in any way that could make it seem less real or trustworthy.
Using New Technology
- Use special phone apps, like E-Sakshya, to upload videos instantly and add location details automatically.
- Use secure online (cloud) systems to share videos safely with police and legal teams.
- Use smart computer programs (Artificial Intelligence or AI) to automatically label and organize video evidence.
Conclusion
Videographing crime scenes isn’t just an option anymore; it’s a fundamental part of collecting digital evidence. When investigators follow these clear steps, they can be sure their video recordings are complete, trustworthy, and can be used in court. As technology changes, our methods must also change, so justice is always delivered clearly and accurately.
Common Mistakes in Crime Scene Videographing and How to Sidestep Them
Not Blocking Off the Area First:
Why it’s bad: If people walk around while you’re videographing, they can mess up crucial clues and make them less trustworthy.
How to fix: Always make sure no one can enter the scene before you even press the record button.
Videographing Without a Clear Plan:
Why it’s bad: Just pointing the camera anywhere means you might miss important details or make the video hard to understand later.
How to fix: Videograph in an organized way: start with a wide view, then move closer, and finish with very close shots. Talk clearly about what you’re seeing.
Using Bad Lights or a Low-Quality Camera:
Why it’s bad: Dark or blurry video means important evidence might not be clear enough to be used in legal cases.
How to fix: Always use good, clear cameras and bring extra lights so everything is bright and sharp.
Moving Things Before Videograph Film Them:
Why it’s bad: Changing anything before you videograph can make people think you tampered with the evidence.
How to fix: Videograph everything exactly as you found it. Don’t touch or pick up an item until you’ve finished recording it.
Not Talking While Videographing:
Why it’s bad: A silent video doesn’t explain anything, which can confuse people trying to understand it later, like police or a judge.
How to fix: Speak clearly while you videograph. Describe what you see, say the time, and point out where key items are.
Forgetting to Add Date and Time:
Why it’s bad: Videos without the correct date and time might not be trusted in court.
How to fix: Make sure your camera automatically adds the date and time to the video, or clearly say them out loud at the beginning of your recording.
Zooming Too Much or Moving the Camera Too Fast:
Why it’s bad: Shaky or fast camera movements can hide important details and make the video hard to watch.
How to fix: Move your camera slowly and smoothly. Try not to zoom in or out too often.
Changing or Cutting Your Video After Videographing:
Why it’s bad: If you change the video, people might think you altered it, and it could be rejected in court.
How to fix: Try to record everything in one continuous shot. If you absolutely must edit, write down exactly what you changed and why.
Not Saving Copies of Your Video:
Why it’s bad: Losing the original video can completely stop an investigation.
How to fix: As soon as you finish videographing, copy your video files to a safe and secure place.
Forgetting to Videograph the Area Around the Scene:
Why it’s bad: Things like the weather or nearby buildings can help explain what happened, so don’t ignore them.
How to fix: Make sure to include shots of the bigger picture around the crime scene, like the weather, time of day, and anything else important nearby.
Crime Scene Videography Checklist
Pre-Recording Procedures:
- Secure the Scene: Establish and maintain a secure perimeter using tape or other barriers to control access.
- Initial Assessment: Conduct a brief walkthrough of the scene to plan the recording sequence and identify key areas of interest.
- Equipment Check: Confirm all camera equipment is fully functional. Verify battery life, available storage space, and that the time/date stamp is accurate.
- Lighting: Assess the need for additional lighting and set up any required sources to ensure clear visibility.
- Markers & Tags: Prepare all necessary scale markers, evidence tags, and placards for use during the recording.
Recording the Scene:
Opening Sequence & Overview:
- Verbal Introduction: Begin by clearly stating the date, time, location, case number, and the name of the videographer.
- 360° View: Record a wide-angle, uninterrupted, 360-degree sweep of the entire scene to provide a complete overview.
- Perimeter & Access Points: Include clear shots of all entry and exit points, as well as the surrounding environment, to establish the context of the scene.
Detailed Evidence Documentation:
- Mid-Range Shots: Capture shots that show the spatial relationship between different items of evidence and their location within the scene.
- Close-Up Documentation: Record a close-up of each piece of evidence, ensuring it’s clearly labelled and a scale is included for accurate size reference.
- Narrate & Document: Provide clear, objective verbal narration throughout the recording. Describe what is being shown, including the location of evidence and any observations.
- Maintain Integrity: Do not touch, move, or alter any evidence or the scene’s layout before it has been fully documented.
- Smooth Motion: Use slow, deliberate camera movements. Avoid abrupt pans, quick zooms, or shaky footage to ensure a high-quality, stable recording.
- Continuous Recording: Maintain a continuous, unedited recording of the scene. Do not stop and start the camera; if a break is necessary, note it with a verbal log.
Post-Recording Procedures:
- Secure Transfer: Immediately transfer the footage to a secure, encrypted storage device.
- Create Backups: Make at least one backup copy and store it in a separate, secure location to prevent data loss.
- Complete the Report: Fill out the videography report with detailed information, including equipment used, a summary of observations, and a log of the recording.
- Chain of Custody: Log the digital files into the official chain of custody, detailing who has handled the footage and when.
- Legal Compliance: Ensure the footage and all documentation meet all local, state, and national legal standards for admissible evidence.
Conclusion:
This detailed guide (SOP) is extremely important. For justice to be served, it’s critical to carefully record every part of a crime scene. By following these steps, investigators make video recordings a powerful and essential part of solving crimes. This careful method ensures that every detail, every piece of evidence, and where everything was located is captured perfectly and truthfully, giving us an undeniable digital record.
This isn’t just a set of instructions; it shows our promise to be responsible, open, and accurate. It makes sure that the silent story of a crime scene is told truthfully in court, leading to fair and just outcomes. As technology improves, our methods must too. This SOP proves we are evolving, strengthening our dedication to a legal process based on sure evidence and the highest professional standards. It is our best way to uncover the truth.
