I. Purpose

A. To collect evidence in the form of digital images and preserve them for case investigation or trial preparation as approved by the California Judicial System.

B. To maintain an unbroken chain of custody for evidence collected in an investigation.

II. Procedures for Preserving Digital Images in Connection with Case Investigation or Trial Preparation.

A. When digital images are saved from a camera they will be stored temporarily on a computer hard disk drive or copied directly to a non-rewritable compact disc (CD).

B. No alteration of the images whatsoever may be made while on the hard disk or in the camera.

C. The images saved to the hard disk will be immediately placed in their entirety to a non-rewritable CD, by the person who saves the images to the hard disk drive.

D. The person who saved or copied the images to the CD will immediately confirm that all files were completely and accurately copied, by comparing the file name, date and size for each digital image on the CD with those previously copied to the hard disk.

E. The person who saved or copied the images to a CD, or the hard disk drive and copied the same images to the CD will permanently initial and date the original CD.

F. That person will also log a permanent record of the name of the photographer, the date the images were made, and the case/incident number.

G. The original CD will be maintained as evidence by the investigator assigned.

H. Additional CDs may thereafter be copied and similarly marked for discovery, for use by the trial team and for any other necessary use.

I. The file saved to the hard disk drive may then be deleted.

J. The files on the camera memory card may then be deleted.

K. No digital image files will be permanently stored on a LAN if they are collected for use as evidence in a case.

L. All photographs will be made from the original CD and a chain of custody will be maintained for authentication purposes.

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