Authentic means that the original video file is free of any sort of manipulation, including changes of filename, additions, deletions, editing, or corruption, and that it was properly saved and passed along in its original format to investigators. 3) PROVEN CHAIN-OF-CUSTODY Proven chain-of-custody means that each possession has been carefully documented as the footage makes its way from the street where it was filmed to investigators, then to lawyers, and then to the courtroom. A proven chain-of-custody helps to establish that there was no opportunity for corruption or manipulation from unknown sources. KEY POINT Reliability is all about techniques and it comes down to: • • • using basic filming techniques that will allow your footage to be easily verified, keeping your original file, and documenting how the footage (ideally the original file) moved from capture to courtroom. The rules of evidence vary from country to country and from court to court, so it is impossible to provide hard and fast rules about how reliable a piece of video must be to be admitted in court. The bottom line, however, is this: a video clip must be verified. It must be what you say it is. It cannot be faked or manipulated. Having the original file and being able to prove the chain-of-custody — while not absolutely mandatory in every jurisdiction — will make the verification process much easier and increase the reliability of the video. In turn, everyone — from the media to human rights commissions, to investigators, lawyers, and judges — can place more trust in it. 53 VIDEO AS EVIDENCE: ALL ABOUT EVIDENCE V 1.0 LAW 2) AUTHENTIC