The camera never lies, or does it? The dangers of taking CCTV surveillance at face value

Abstract

How many of us question what we’re shown via closed circuit television (CCTV) as being the truth of a situation? Can clear and easily identifiable images be wrong? And if they are, how can you argue against the power of the recorded image from a legal standpoint? Can Human Factors help us improve surveillance for society? In this real example of improper CCTV surveillance, can CCTV always be taken at face value? The simple answer is no, but how many people accept what they’re shown without question and end up paying the penalties? This paper examines a case study where all that appeared on the CCTV image was not as it seemed. It then considers the underlying human factors issues of CCTV technologies for surveillance and the importance of understanding the fundamental human-machine interface.