Crime Cases Still Using Cassettes

[renegadefm]

I'm just curious why the police still use cassettes as their choice of media format when recording evidence etc in an interview room?

 

A very recent incident clearly shows the interview room using double a double cassette system, with basic buttons record, play. 

 

You would think these days it would at least be compact disc, or USB, maybe even memory card. 

 

Why on earth does the criminal system still use cassette tapes? 

[wolf63]

This seems to answer your query...

https://www.quora.com/Why-do-police-stations-still-use-cassette-tapes-in-interviews-rather-than-digital-recording

[barry1010]

Simply harder to alter and falsify cassette recordings than digital recordings.

[Old_Geezer]

That would've been my guess too.

[renegadefm]

Yeah I can see that logic. 

I used to have a stand alone cd recorder. I used to use in exactly the same way as a cassette recorder. 

You couldn't doctor the recordings unless you put the disc in a computer. 

And I bought that in the late 90's. You'd would think the police would be using the upgrade of a cd recorder. 

[renegadefm]

Like this one, although mine was a Philips brand:

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335605611039?chn=ps&_ul=GB&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=335605611039&targetid=2361039923645&device=m&mktype=pla&googleloc=9045314&poi=&campaignid=21697381820&;mkgroupid=170109506289&rlsatarget=pla-2361039923645&abcId=10027101&merchantid=6995734&gad_source=1&;gclid=Cj0KCQiAouG5BhDBARIsAOc08RT4UQKATnyA1-hacWEL59DcFAxLRmn72jM3JO_6jU_PFtqHUyb6YdIaAgb0EALw_wcB

[barry1010]

That's the point, it is easier to doctor a cd recording in a PC.  That is not desirable

[renegadefm]

barry1010, 

You can only doctor the rewritable discs. The standard ones can't be altered. 

In fact the fact you can't doctor a cd should be more secure than a cassette tape. They used to have a tenancy of chewing up etc. That in itself could ruin audio information. 

I would go for a cd recorder all day long over cassettes. 

[barry1010]

But the police has to make a copy and blank out details before passing it to relevant parties that are entitled to a copy of the recorded interview.

This includes names of people irrelevant to the crime.

Immediately after the interview the defendant is handed the second tape.

The first tape is the master tape and copies are made of this for the prosecution and others.

 

[renegadefm]

barry1010, 

But this can all be done with CD'S. 

Basically you can buy rewritable cds and cds that are once recorded on the audio is permanent. 

 

Its basically the cd version of cassettes. 

 

I'm not saying I'm against cassettes, but it did strike me funny to find they are using 1970's technology in 2024.

Recordable cd machines have been available since the mid 90's. 

[Canary42]

If it works, don't fix it.

[renegadefm]

Canary42, 

Actually I'm the first to agree with that. 

But it just surprised me an establishment like the crime forces still use cassettes just shocked me, with the way things have long since moved on. 

But there is obviously something sacred about old technology. Which warms my heart. 

[barry1010]

I'll keep repeating myself. CDs can be tampered with in a way that cassettes cannot. The recordings are evidence that are used in court.

It is a long time since I've had any involvement in police interviews but I have now learnt that police do make digital audio recordings as well as video recordings.

The manner of recordings and the storing is governed by Part E of The Police and Criminal Evidence Act for audio and Part F for video should you wish to delve in to it.