The legal issues in this question are the categorization and admissibility of evidence consisting of satellite photographs received via digital signal. A separate discussion of each issue will ensue. The categorisation of photographs into a specific category of evidence, though controversial and contested, remains pertinent to establish the requirements for the admissibility thereof in trials. Photographs may be categorised as a sub-category of real evidence. Real evidence, supplemented by oral testimony and/or expert testimony specifying its recognition and importance in context, is an object, a thing that itself constitutes evidence. Photographs may constitute real evidence for mistaken impairments, physical injuries, where fingerprints on a tangible photograph prove relevant to a trial or the photograph itself is a pilfered item. Section 232 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 (hereinafter referred to as the CPA) permits photographic evidence. Similarly, documentary evidence may encompass photographs. Seccombe provides that documentary evidence is written and graphic materials, thus tacitly incorporating photographs. Section 33 of the Civil Proceedings Evidence Act 25 of 1965 (hereinafter referred to as the CPEA) includes photographs in its explanation of documents. Section 221 of the CPA, which describes a …show more content…
The court in Ndiki re-asserted that evidence stemming from computers be categorised as documentary or real evidence. Specifically evidence stemming from a computer which required involvement of a person was documentary while that without any human endevour was real. Hearsay too plays a role in this categorisation. Thus the separate categorisation of this type of evidence has not been judicially
Part A A) Abbot’s coin collection worth $750,000 B) Relevant evidence, was removed from the scene of the crime C) Physical D) Direct A) Door glass that was removed B) Relevant evidence, shows forced entry into Abbot’s house C) Physical D)
Da-Nisha Mitchell Anthro 3211 Test Your Knowledge Chapter 3 1.Judge or Jury who listens to tell if statements are true. 2.Evidence is anything, objects, witness that are used to make a defendant guilty or Innocent. 3.Circumstantial, conclusive, conflicting and exculpatory 4.Evidence used to make the defendant look Innocent 5.Looking at what is left behind; events, evidence. 6.A direct transfer is when it goes to the source like a drug dealer selling drugs to someone.
The reliability and admissibility of evidence becomes a foundation to this truth as any evidence presented cannot contain elements which can provide doubt towards the validity of the prosecution. This can be shown through guideline 14 of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions agreement to provide advice for the NSW police towards the legal limitations or consequences of evidence obtained during the course of an investigation (Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions n.d). Identification evidence in particular has a lower weight and strength for admission to a court due to the fallibility and circumstantial nature of witnesses. The admissibility of identification evidence was previously determined by judges based on its quality with case law such as R v. Christie providing principles for discretionary powers for admissibility and Alexander v. R providing methods satisfactory to the court for identification such as identification parades under common law. (R v. Christie 1914; Alexander v. R 1981).
Casey Anthony “Smell of Death” In the summer of 2008, Casey Anthony daughter Caylee Anthony was last seen on June 16, 2008. No one knows where she was nor did Casey report that her daughter was missing. Time went by with no sign of Caylee reappearing. Casey’s mother called and reported that her granddaughter was missing and that Casey’s car smelled like a dead body had been in there.
Presentation of Evidence: In order to try to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, the prosecution will first present its case. This evidence may include witnesses, records, and forensic data. After then, the defence will get a chance to question the witnesses for the prosecution. Defense's Case:
The development of technology was an unforeseen source of dispute in interpreting and applying the Constitution. Technologic aid in investigating crime and gathering evidence is often up for debate, particularly in the context of the Fourth Amendment. In the case at hand, petitioner Chester Comerford seeks to suppress evidence of his involvement in drug manufacture and distribution on the basis of a violation of his Fourth Amendment rights when the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) made use of warrantless IMSI tracking to establish probable cause for a later warrant. For a number of reasons to be addressed, the FBI did not need a warrant to obtain this information, and thus the evidence shall not be suppressed. The court should uphold Comerford’s conviction on the basis of the following discussion.
However, the way the glass evidence at the crime scene was documented, collected, and preserved absolutely would have had an impact on the examination results at the lab. The glass evidence was mishandled as it was reportedly transferred from an envelope to a plastic bag during the investigation, which could have resulted in further loss or contamination of the evidence. Overall, the mishandling of significant evidence compromised the reliability and admissibility in court. Again, this example of mishandling of evidence posed as another contention point within the case and resulted in much
Today, modern standards require the burden of proof be brought forth by the plaintiff, or prosecution in criminal cases. This means that the accused no longer has to prove they did not commit the crime, but the prosecution has to prove that all the evidence proves the accused did in fact commit the crime in question. Circumstantial evidence is not enough, but physical evidence, or forensic evidence is now required in modern courts for a conviction. Additionally, the modern standard when considering evidence, and for conviction is “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Compelling Evidence In today’s society, high-tech gadgets and the media have given the impression the essential necessity for forensic evidence in order to convict. Once in a while, cases like the Laci Peterson murder come along with little forensic evidence but a whole lot of circumstantial evidence and motive. In the following paragraphs, I will discuss the forensic evidence discovered that led to the conviction and death sentencing of Laci’s husband, Scott Peterson.
Those on trial would have their birthmarks and other blemishes used as physical evidence. Witness testimony, spectral evidence, and lastly a confession were also types of evidence
Computer forensics processes must adhere to standards set by the courtroom that often complicates what could have been a simple data analysis. In court, knowing who connected to the system based on logs is not enough. There must be facts that will support those connection
Student Name: Keshab Rawal Student ID: 77171807 Word Count: Title: The rise of anti-forensics: The rise of anti-forensics: Tables of contents: • Overview • Introduction • History • Categories/Tools of anti-forensics • Conclusion • Future Work Overview: Computer forensics is an active topic of research, with areas of study including wireless forensics, network security and cyber investigations. The goal of the computer forensics is to provide information about how the crime happened, why and who is involved in the crime in any legal proceeding by using the computer forensic tools.
As you may know, I represent Mr. Marc Donatelli in any and all actions that he may have against XXXXXX for that entity’s efforts (or lack thereof) regarding its investigation of threats and harassment directed at Mr. Donatelli by Ms. Patience Rhoades, a known prostitute, and her cohorts. For several months, Mr. Donatelli has been harassed and threatened by friends and family of Ms. Rhoades after she turned to Mr. Donatelli for help, but left inappropriately. This began in Lewisville, Texas. My client has asked me to inform you that he has sent packets of evidence to each of the agencies depicted below.
Crime scene photography, sometimes referred to as forensic photography or forensic imaging, is the art of producing an accurate representation of an accident or crime scene. Crime scene photography is an important asset in the collection of evidence at the crime scene, documents the appearance and location of victims, shell casings, footprints, bloodstain patterns, and other physical evidence. In order for photographs to be admissible in a court of law, the standard for photographs of crime scenes and evidence must be of sufficient quality. Photography has a vital role in the decision made in court because the pictures are to represent the scene as it was exactly. Digital SLR single reflex camera is the most often used camera in crime scene investigations.
During this process the investigators should carefully search for all forms of potential electronic evidence that they do have permission to take such as: USB (Universal Serial Bus) storage media, optical discs, mobile phones, tablets, laptops, SD (Secure Digital) and similar cards, NAS (Network-Attached Storage). Other forms of forensic evidence should be also considered such as: fingerprints and DNA before collection of devices, passwords, notes, paper documents, and other information relevant to the investigation. The process of dead forensic is simple, reliable and thorough.