When a police officer arrives at an incident there is often a very small window of opportunity to collect evidence that will either degrade, disappear or get contaminated. This could be footprints in the snow or a vehicle that needs to be moved to clear away a traffic accident. In both cases having the ability to capture an image and freeze that moment in time can enable vital information to be stored for later use.

At present an officer could choose to capture the scene on a consumer device, either phone or camera, or request that a police photographer attend the scene. Both options are however, not without their issues. In the case of capturing the image with a consumer device and imaging software two issues may arise. The image is unlikely to be secured with a digital finger print. A digital finger print ensures that the image cannot be tampered with and would be usable as evidence in court. Secondly the device used to capture the image may its self need to be held as evidence and only returned after a case is concluded.

If a police photographer is requested their arrival may be dependent on availability, priority and the distance they need to travel to get to the scene. In all cases degradation or contamination of a scene can occur. The foot print may simply melt away. In the case of prioritisation it just might not be feasible to send a police photographer.

The research undertaken by Motorola Solutions partnered with IMS Research highlighted the following:

Capturing a scene immediately - Specialist Crime Scene Examiners often can’t get to a scene right away. During this time, vital evidence can be moved (e.g. a casualty needs to be transferred to hospital). Even slight changes to the composition of a crime scene can, of course, have major implications down the line. Officers pointed out that it would be hugely valuable – and potentially critical for prosecution – to take images before scenes are altered. Examples cited include capturing a footprint left in the snow and taking images of blood patches or tyre tracks in danger of being washed away by rain.

Now however, following the launch of the MTP6000 Series TETRA portable radios users now have the option of capturing the moment using the digital camera built into the new MTP6750 radio, and securing it with a digital signature at the same time.

To read more of the research relating to the use of image capture in frontline policing you can download the report ‘The Need and Case for Digital Photography in Frontline Policing’.

Take a closer look at the MTP6750.

David Parry is Director, Solutions Marketing EMEA. David is on LinkedIn at uk.linkedin.com/in/davidgparry

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