Digital Evidence in the Courtroom - A Guide for Law Enforcement and Prosecutors

Presenting digital evidence in court is a challenge for the law enforcement investigator who identified, collected, and preserved it. That challenge continues for the investigators and the prosecutors who must convince the judges evidence is admissible. It is equally challenging to present digital evidence to jurors without overwhelming them with technobabble.

To help investigators and prosecutors succeed in the digital era, the National Institute of Justice has published its fourth digital evidence guide, this one titled Digital Evidence in the Courtroom - A Guide for Law Enforcement and Prosecutors. It was released in January 2007.

The guide covers:

• Search and seizure areas
• Integrity, discovery, and disclosure of digital evidence
• Courtroom preparation and evidence rules
• Presentation of digital evidence
• Application: Child pornography
• Resources and links
• Electronic Communications Privacy Act disclosure rules
• Sample consent forms
• Stipulation regarding evidence returned to the defendant
• Glossary of terms