Body-Worn Cameras in Criminal Justice: Evidence, Access, and Unintended Consequences

• In Event: POLWG Panel 1: The Role of Police Body-Worn Cameras in Contemporary Criminal Justice

Abstract

This presentation builds on our ongoing research into body-worn cameras (BWCs) in policing and criminal justice, expanding beyond preliminary findings to present refined analytical insights and. Drawing on qualitatively assessed in-depth interviews with three key expert groups—judges, law enforcement officers, and defence attorneys/human rights activists—we examine how BWCs shape investigative and judicial processes in practice.

Our findings indicate that BWCs provide valuable and objective evidentiary material, enhancing transparency in criminal proceedings. While concerns about the deliberate manipulation of recordings appear largely unfounded, a more pressing issue is the accessibility of BWC footage for those seeking to use it in court. Practical challenges in obtaining and reviewing recordings may limit their evidentiary potential, raising important procedural questions.

This presentation explores these dynamics from three expert perspectives: judges discuss the evidentiary role and reliability of BWC footage; law enforcement officers reflect on how BWCs influence their professional conduct and interactions with the public; and defence attorneys and human rights activists critically assess the availability and procedural implications of using BWC recordings in legal proceedings. By moving beyond preliminary observations, this presentation offers a nuanced, experience-driven perspective on the realities of BWC implementation in the criminal justice system.

Authors

• Piotr Lewulis, University of Warsaw

• Paweł Waszkiewicz, University of Warsaw, Faculty of Law and Administration

• Gabriel Jost, University of Warsaw