Technology plays a key role in the British legal system, especially when it comes to gathering evidence ahead of a trial. As such, it is hardly surprising to hear that it often has a profound impact on modern murder investigations. In some cases, this evidence can be used to prove that the defendant is innocent, resulting in an acquittal.
However, it’s also important to note that, even when technology is used in this regard, an investigation of this severity will never play out like it does in the movies or true-crime TV shows. Certain processes and procedures must be followed in order to ensure that the defendant receives a fair trial and that justice is served. This is particularly important when you consider the speed at which new technologies are being introduced to the system.
Fortunately, this is not something that you will have to deal with alone. In addition to providing you with expert legal counsel, your criminal solicitor will be able to adapt to these changes so that you can confidently challenge evidence or build a stronger defence.
A wide range of technology is deployed in order to gather evidence during a modern murder trial. This includes:
However, there are other ways in which technology can be used throughout the duration of your case. For example, details of your case are likely stored in secure digital databases so that the relevant parties can access information. While this can make it easy for your lawyer to access information, it can lead to complications if it is not properly secured and information is leaked.
In recent years, numerous criminal proceedings have also been hosted digitally through secure online platforms. However, this is less commonplace in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the majority of cases playing out in person.
In any kind of court proceedings, technology can be used to build a case in your defence or a case against you, depending on the nature of the evidence. For this reason alone, having tech-savvy legal representation is often critical to the outcome of the case.
For example, your solicitor may call on a backlog of digital evidence in order to prove that you were not present at the time when the crime was committed, using tools such as CCTV footage to make their claim. This is often held in higher regard than alibis, as the jury is given indisputable evidence that your whereabouts were accounted for during this time.
When building a strong defence, criminal solicitors may also be used to call into question the case that the persecuting lawyers have built against you. For example, they may be able to use digital evidence to bring into question the validity of their claims, providing their own evidence to back this up. This, again, can help to protect your best interests.
If data (that should be kept private) is subject to a data leak or otherwise mishandled, this is something that your lawyer could also use in your defence, which could help to appeal a conviction. This is because it could impede your right to a fair trial, especially if sensitive information is leaked to the public.
As the capabilities of technologies expand, their usage in modern murder investigations and other criminal trials is likely to increase quite significantly. While this can prove to be useful, it is a process that will continue to be tightly governed by regulatory bodies to ensure it is used ethically.
For example, with the recent explosion in popularity of AI technology, various regulations have been put in place, including the recent bid to impose limits on the use by the police of AI biometric surveillance.
On a similar note, the use of social media is also strictly regulated during criminal proceedings. In fact, if any of the involved pirates are found to be posting about or sharing information that was revealed in the trial, discussing evidence or naming the victims, they may be found to be in contempt of court. Again, this could be something that your lawyer uses moving forward.
Right now, you would likely find it hard to go more than a few minutes without using, or encountering technology. As such, it is no surprise that it currently plays a key role in criminal proceedings, including modern murder investigations. While they are often used within the courtroom, their primary role right now lies in gathering evidence and building or disputing cases.
If you, or someone you care about, are facing murder (or manslaughter) charges, then you should reach out to a criminal lawyer as soon as possible. This will provide you with much greater peace of mind and ensure that your best interests are protected at every stage of the judicial process.
While this can be an incredibly confusing time for all involved, a criminal attorney will be able to answer any questions you may have, including those related to the use of technology in gathering evidence and building or dismissing a case.
At ABV Solicitors, we have years of experience supporting clients in similar situations to your own, who find themselves facing significant charges. Through offering a comprehensive range of services, we’ll work tirelessly to defend you in court, drawing upon a wealth of experience and knowledge. We’ll also be on hand throughout to provide you with non-judgemental support, advice and guidance.
If you’d like to find out more, please do not hesitate to get in touch today. Our chats are fully confidential, and you can reach out at a time that is convenient for you.
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