CREATING A PLAN Below are the steps to get started creating your own Collection Plan. STEP 1 Ask Why? ͦͦ ͦͦ ͦͦ ͦͦ ͦͦ ͦͦ ͦͦ What are the security risks in filming, collecting and storing the video? Why is this content valuable? Will it raise awareness or shed light on a situation? Will it spark an investigation? Will it support an investigation or the call for the arrest of a perpetrator? Will it help prove an element of a crime? Is it possible to gather information that is relevant to the case and/or could help an investigator, analyst, lawyer or 
judge better understand the story? There are many good reasons to collect video information. This step ensures you know why it is worth it. If you decide it is, then move on to the steps below. KEY DECISION POINT To Write Up Your Plan or Not? While it’s not mandatory to write your plan down, a written plan can be essential if you are working with others or if you’re working on a complex case. If you do want to write your plan down, we’ve provided a blank Collection Plan form at the end of this section. STEP 2 Include Basic Details Whether you are writing your plan down or not, it is important to consider and/or document the information listed below. Consider using the Collection Plan form included at the end of this section to fill in the following basic information: ͦͦ ͦͦ ͦͦ ͦͦ ͦͦ ͦͦ ͦͦ A summary of the incident or expected incident you seek to document; Date the plan is drafted; Name of people involved; Contact information for people involved; Pertinent comments and notes; Purposed filming location(s); Notes on security procedures. 82 VIDEO AS EVIDENCE: COLLECTION PLAN V 1.0 FILMING Determine why it is worth the time, resources and risks to collect this footage. For example: