Caught on video—Alberta prosecutor providing training on presenting video evidence
by Jason Chance

Prosecutor Jonathan Hak

High-tech forensic video analysis is a powerful new tool being used by crime scene investigators and prosecutors. Helping to provide basic training on how this cutting-edge technology can be used in court is Calgary Crown Prosecutor Jonathan Hak.

A 13-year veteran of Alberta's prosecutorial team and current president of the Alberta Crown Attorneys Association, Hak and video technology expert Grant Fredericks have taught the basics on collecting and presenting forensic video evidence in several locations across Canada and the United States.

This year, they've already taught a weeklong course at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, and have given a presentation to Saskatchewan Crown prosecutors and major crime scene investigators.

The best example of forensic video evidence is a surveillance camera that captures a crime on tape. After the police seize the tape, it is analyzed and the images are digitized. A computer is then used to clarify details that might not otherwise be seen. This allows an analyst to compare people, weapons, clothing and other items with known images to look for similarities.

"Forensic video analysis is a very effective investigative tool and will continue to be a significant part of the Crown's arsenal. It's an extremely powerful piece of evidence in front of a jury," Hak said. "The courses Grant and I teach give prosecutors a basic knowledge so that they are not starting from scratch when they get a case with forensic video evidence."

While Fredericks provides the technological background during the courses, Hak brings the prosecutor's perspective, including the admissibility and the presentation of video evidence in court, and the use of video as identification evidence.

Video evidence has been key to two prosecutions Hak has conducted. In 1999, surveillance video from a convenience store helped corroborate the evidence of a key witness that led to a murder conviction.

This year, a bank's surveillance camera provided video evidence that helped identify the accused, the weapon and clothing in an aggravated assault case. Because there were no eyewitnesses, the video evidence was critical in this prosecution, Hak said. The accused in this case was sentenced to 12 years for these crimes.