Tips for DVR Examinations
When in doubt, request HTCU to respond (856-384-5500) or contact the on-call MCU detective after hours.
List the admin login credentials for the device (if known) in the additional notes section.
When at a search scene concerning video surveillance equipment the following procedures should be followed for a successful seizure of video footage:
If possible, take the entire DVR system (just the DVR and power cable, not the cameras) if requesting HTCU to examine the device.
Video can be exported from the surveillance system prior to requesting assistance from HTCU. You only need to know the date, time, and camera of which the video footage is contained pertaining to your investigation. You can review the footage utilizing the DVR system's menu options prior to exporting. Typically, the menu on the DVR will allow for the exportation of a selected time period of footage to USB or CD.
On most DVR systems, there is a menu button on the front of the system (similar to a VHS recorder). The following steps should be followed during the exportation process:
- Review the menu options on the DVR system. It should indicate how and where you can export the video. Typically it is either to CD or USB device.
- Export the video footage in its raw proprietary format. This format will typically not play on a Windows computer. Exporting in the proprietary format allows the video to be copied with no compression. With no compression, a video enhancement has a better chance of success.
- Export the proprietary player from the DVR system. This will allow for viewing the raw video files on a Windows computer.
- Export the video footage in a Windows format (i.e. avi, mpg, mov). This format will have some compression limiting the enhancement capabilities but will allow you to view the video on a Windows computer.