Photographs and videos are examples of demonstrative evidence. Technology has changed this type of evidence. Discuss how photography and videos are used today in criminal court and address the positives and any negatives about these changes

What will be an ideal response?


Photographs and video recordings can be extremely powerful in criminal cases because they recreate a moment in time that has since passed. Photography and videography are used extensively by witnesses and crime scene investigators. Images are instantly viewed, and many more pictures can immediately be taken. This does allow for instant editing which may compromised the validity of such evidence. These visual pieces of evidence are often more compelling than simple testimonial evidence. Photographs and videos might be so horrendous that impartiality may be disturbed and a judge must rule about the potential prejudice they might evoke. Photographs and videos must still be found to be relevant, material, and competent. This type of evidence must also for the "best evidence rule", and due to the digital technology authenticity of the evidence must be determined.

Criminal Justice

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After DHS was created it became the ____________________ largest department in the federal government:

a. 2nd. b. 5th. c. 4th. d. 3rd.

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Individuals who are appointed by the court to represent the legal best interest of the child are referred to as::

a. Guardian ad Litem or Court Appointed Special Advocates b. Social services. c. Welfare Department d. None of the above

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The first task in conducting a presentence investigation is to meet with the offender and complete an investigatory worksheet. This meeting between the offender and the probation officer is referred to as the

A. disposition meeting. B. initial interview. C. intake interview. D. classification meeting.

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Answer the following statement(s) true (T) or false (F)

1. Three-strikes-and-you’re-out laws are a recent sentencing innovation. 2. Once the Federal Sentencing Guidelines were enacted in 1984, federal parole was eliminated. 3. The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy was officially established under the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. 4. Bill Clinton was the president who pushed to equalize the crack-cocaine and powder cocaine sentences. 5. Asian Americans have greater representation in the judiciary than African Americans.

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