Recording & Evidence Management

What is the primary purpose of CCTV recording in a security context?

• AEntertainment
• BDeterring and documenting incidents for investigation and evidence✓
• CTraining purposes only
• DMonitoring staff productivity

Answer: CCTV recording serves to deter crime and provide forensic evidence for investigations.

What is the recommended retention period for CCTV footage in retail environments under UK best practice?

• A1 week
• B2-4 weeks (depending on risk assessment and incident likelihood)✓
• C1 year
• DForever

Answer: Typical retention for retail CCTV is 2-4 weeks, balancing evidence needs with storage costs.

What does 'chain of custody' mean in the context of CCTV evidence?

• AThe physical location of storage devices
• BA documented record of who has accessed, handled, and authenticated evidence to maintain integrity✓
• CThe cable connections of the system
• DThe scheduling of recordings

Answer: Chain of custody documents every person who handled evidence and when, proving it hasn't been tampered with.

When extracting CCTV footage as evidence, what should be documented?

• AOnly the extracted footage filename
• BDate/time extracted, person extracting it, incident details, and system location✓
• CNothing - just take the footage
• DOnly the incident time

Answer: Proper documentation of extraction is essential for evidence admissibility and chain of custody.

What does encoding video mean in CCTV systems?

• AHiding the footage
• BAdding encryption only
• CConverting raw video into a compressed digital format (e.g., H.264, H.265) for storage and transmission✓
• DRecording audio

Answer: Encoding compresses video using algorithms like H.264 or H.265, reducing file size while maintaining acceptable quality.

What is the benefit of using H.265 encoding instead of H.264 in modern CCTV systems?

• ANo difference
• BReduces file size by approximately 50% for similar quality✓
• CIncreases file size
• DRequires less processing power

Answer: H.265 (HEVC) is more efficient than H.264, achieving similar quality with roughly half the file size.

What is 'continuous recording' versus 'event-based recording'?

• ASame thing
• BContinuous records all video; event-based records only when motion/alerts occur, saving storage✓
• CContinuous is cheaper
• DEvent-based records everything

Answer: Continuous recording runs all the time; event-based only records when triggered by motion or alerts.

How should CCTV footage be stored to prevent data loss?

• AOn a single hard drive without backup
• BWith backups, redundancy (RAID), and in a secure, access-controlled location✓
• COn removable USB drives only
• DNo special precautions needed

Answer: Proper CCTV storage includes backups, RAID configurations, secure locations, and access controls.

What must be ensured before deleting CCTV footage under GDPR?

• ANothing - it can be deleted anytime
• BThat retention period has expired AND no pending investigations involve that footage✓
• COnly manager approval
• DPolice notification

Answer: Before deletion, ensure retention policies are met and that footage is not needed for investigations.

What is the significance of a timestamp on CCTV footage?

• AJust a label
• BProvides exact date/time for evidence correlation and investigation sequencing✓
• CDetermines video quality
• DIdentifies the camera only

Answer: Accurate timestamps are critical for evidence - they establish when incidents occurred and help correlate events.

What is video compression and why is it necessary in CCTV systems?

• ALowering image resolution
• BEncoding video into smaller file sizes for storage efficiency while maintaining acceptable quality✓
• CReducing the number of cameras
• DShortening recording duration

Answer: Compression reduces file sizes significantly, making CCTV storage financially practical.

When providing CCTV footage to police or courts, what should be included?

• AJust the video file
• BVideo file, chain of custody documentation, system details, extraction date/time, and certification of authenticity✓
• COnly a description
• DVerbal explanation only

Answer: Legal disclosure of CCTV footage requires detailed documentation to establish admissibility and authenticity.