Experts: Video helpful, but not enough to prove some cases
- Mar 8, 2018
- 2 min read
Courtesy of KHON2 News
Click here to watch the KHON2 News segment
From home burglaries to hit and run crashes, victims of crimes that are caught on camera are turning to social media for help. But how helpful are these pictures and videos to investigators? KHON2 spoke with some attorneys who said video evidence is very helpful and there are things you can do to strengthen your case. With the rise of smart phones and surveillance systems, many crimes are caught on camera. "Every chance we've got a video tape, there's a smile on our face because we've got very strong evidence," former Honolulu prosecutor Peter Carlisle said. However, we're told video evidence isn't always enough. "Probable cause is enough to move forward, that may not be enough to get a conviction," Carlisle said. University of Hawaii law professor Kenneth Lawson agrees. "When you get grainy video, obviously you need more evidence than that," he said. Lawson said video evidence is good but most times you need more. "Sound makes a big difference and the nature of the crime," he said. "A lot of it depends if you got voices on the tape because if there are no voices on the tape, you're a little bit more free to argue." We're told it's important to not modify the video. "Who recorded it, that it's authentic, that it hasn't been spliced or diced before it was on Facebook," Lawson said. "You have to show me that that's an actual recording of the event as it happened." When it comes to arrests, the Honolulu Police Department told KHON2 video alone isn't always sufficient for that. Depending on the case, officers would also need corroborating evidence such as witness statements.
This article really resonates because it highlights something we often overlook — that even the most convincing evidence needs proper context and corroboration to hold up. We live in an age where everyone assumes "caught on camera" automatically means "case closed," but as Professor Lawson points out, grainy footage without audio or witness support can still leave massive gaps. It's a powerful reminder that critical thinking and building a complete picture matter more than any single piece of information. This principle honestly applies to so many areas of life beyond the courtroom. Students working on legal case studies or criminal justice assignments face the same challenge of piecing together incomplete evidence. If you're navigating complex topics like this academically, I'd…
This article really highlights something that applies far beyond the courtroom — the idea that a single piece of evidence, no matter how compelling it seems on the surface, is rarely enough to tell the whole story. Video footage can feel like a slam dunk, but as the experts point out, grainy visuals without corroborating context can leave too much room for doubt. It's a great reminder that critical thinking and thorough analysis matter in every field. As a student studying law and justice systems, I've actually found that the same principle applies to academic work — you can't rely on one source alone. I recently came across a Management Assignment Writing Service UK that emphasizes building well-rounded, evidence-based arguments,…
Reading the article Experts: Video helpful, but not enough to prove some cases really made me think about how powerful yet limited evidence can be in the justice system, because while video footage can offer important insights or context, experts often explain that it rarely tells the full story on its own and must be carefully corroborated with other evidence and analysis to build a credible case. As a current PhD student who also works part-time helping others and supporting peers through Assignment Writing Service work and assisting students in their academic journey, I truly understand how crucial it is to look beyond surface information and weave together multiple sources to reach a solid conclusion, because during my college days I suffered…
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