Maybe you’ve watched The First 48. It’s a long-running A&E crime documentary that focuses on the first 48 hours after a homicide. The highly-rated program aired an episode this season that demonstrated iRecord technology in action. (See the whole episode here: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3dp1s1)
The episode, called “Blood On Bourbon”, focuses on a New Orleans mass shooting that resulted in the injuries of ten people and the death of 21-year-old nursing student, Brittany Thomas. During the episode, the investigating officers use iRecord surveillance technology in their interview room. See if you can spot our logo on their monitors!
If you have a chance to catch this episode, take a moment to examine how iRecord technology is being used by these New Orleans detectives. Note how the interrogation room camera is angled down from above to minimize obstructions. Notice also how the interviewing officer sits at a ninety-degree angle to the subject he’s interviewing. A second officer takes notes so that the officer conducting the interrogation can engage with the subject directly. That said, the recorded interviews in this episode may also clarify why we don’t recommend using a table in the interrogation room. When you’re trying to document a subject’s body language, there’s no reason to literally cut your view in half.
The New Orleans police did arrest a suspect, Trung “Joe” Le, who was charged with the crime. In January 2016, he was convicted of manslaughter and attempted manslaughter. The New Orleans Police Department had high quality, digitally recorded interviews to offer the prosecutor—including documentation of how quickly they ended an interview when their suspect invoked his right to counsel, thus avoiding any question of coercion.
Digital recording technology is a valuable partner when you’re investigating a crime—and building a case. We’re glad to see the NOPD demonstrating this resource. Are you considering digital recorders for your interview rooms? Contact us today to find out more.