Handling CCTV footage as evidence

Preserve first

Stop the recorder from overwriting: increase retention or remove the drive. Never edit the original file.

Export properly

Export from the recorder in its native format with the player, or in a container that keeps the original timestamp overlay. Record the recorder's clock offset against real time.

Chain of custody

Note who exported the footage, when, from which device, and compute a hash of the file. Hand over copies, keep the original.

Authority

Only the owner of the system or a person authorised by them should access or export recordings. CCTVwala's recovery and extraction services require that confirmation before work starts.