Andrea Martin Swaby | CCTV cameras: The digital eye and its force for good

CCTV surveillance, is it good, bad or in between? To answer this question, we must carefully consider the capabilities of the digital eye. Firstly, it depicts an unbiased and objective account of a series of events.

For Jamaica, in particular, it may be a tremendous asset. Why? Because, without fear or favour, the camera remains undisturbed by any so called "informer fi dead" culture.

Additionally, its power of recall stands unfettered by human frailty. The images captured also assume a level of permanence once preserved and managed carefully.

Finally, the footage can stand as evidence in a court of law. Once it is shown that the recorded material is an authentic and accurate account of an incident, not altered or changed, and it depicts the scene of a crime, then it is admissible in evidence. 

This is what one of our own retired Judges of Appeal said in a case where eight accused men were convicted in Jamaica for raping two teenage sisters. In that case the incident was video recorded and this recording was used by the prosecution to prove the case against the men. Therefore, video footage can be very useful.

Perhaps this is why the police commissioner of the United Kingdom, Bernard Hogan Howe, told the British populace that CCTV cameras should be installed by homeowners and businesses to help detectives solve crimes in the age of austerity.

This statement was made in March 2015. So again we ask. Was he correct in his endorsement of digital surveillance and is there any support for his bold assertions?

This writer believes he may be spot on. 

CCTV & CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS

We have all seen in recent times how CCTV surveillance has enhanced investigative efforts, both in Jamaica and abroad. On Sunday 20, January 2019, the police in Northern Ireland released CCTV footage of a car bombing which occurred hours before in the vicinity of a courthouse in central Londonberry. This footage may definitely assist investigators, as it showed persons who were in and around the vehicle shortly before the explosion. 

Then there was the mysterious disappearance of Turkish journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Vanished without a trace. To date, no one has accounted for his disappearance. 
Fortunately, CCTV footage captured his seemingly last sojourn into the Turkish embassy on October 2, 2018. This video footage also captured the images of individuals who entered and left during the time of his disappearance. From all indications, it is that footage that has assisted in the ongoing investigations.

And now within our shores, the alleged theft of a three-week-old baby at the Cornwall Regional Hospital has again underscored the value of this type of surveillance. It was reported in the media that CCTV cameras installed at the hospital captured the image of the person believed to have taken the infant. In fact, the image of the apparent scene at the hospital was shown on national television. 

If these images were indeed captured via CCTV surveillance, the undeniable fact is that a surveillance camera, if used appropriately, may act as a digital watchman, policing the length and breadth of what it captures.

Once the image is of the highest quality with excellent facial recognition, then the CCTV surveillance may definitely assist investigators.  

CCTV BENEFITS

Studies have also revealed how beneficial CCTV surveillance is to criminal investigations. In April 2017, Matthew Ashby published the findings of a study which assessed its value at railway stations within the UK. This study revealed that CCTV surveillance provided useful evidence in 65 per cent of criminal cases where footage was available. 

Additionally, this method of surveillance may also act as a deterrent to criminal activity. It allows persons to monitor their premises. Today, with improvements in technology, monitoring can even be done remotely via your smart phones and tablets. 
For businesses, the surveillance may also monitor sensitive aspects of the operation, such as cash registers and store room spaces. 

So there is much that can be gained by using this method of surveillance properly. Therefore, Bernard Hogan Howe may get a resounding yes to his bold assertions in 2015. 

CCTV surveillance may definitely assist in protecting dwelling places and business spaces and also contribute to investigative efforts. It's one bit of technology that can be used as a force for good.

- The views expressed in this article do not represent the views of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and do not constitute legal advice.
- Andrea Martin Swaby is the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Head Cybercrime & Digital Forensics Unit. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com