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I spy with my little camera ...

Jacques Pauw of the SABC programme 'Special Assignment', was recently awarded the John Manyarara Investigative Journalism Award for 2004 from The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA). Lynne Larsen spoke to David Marshall of Marshall International, the manufacturer and supplier of the special undercover video equipment used by Special Assignment in their investigations.

HSS: What equipment is used specifically by the Special Assignment team in their investigations?

DM: In order not to 'out' Special Assignment, I cannot go into too much detail. I will let you know that they have a few solutions allowing them to adapt the system to whatever environment they may be entering. Their systems consist of high quality pinhole lens CCD cameras and high-end digital recorders.

HSS: What measures are taken to ensure 'secrecy' as well as quality visual and audio coverage?

DM: This is a good question. Let us talk about secrecy first. Anyone can hide a camcorder in a bag, but what if your bag is searched, how sure are you that it is recording, do you and your system fit into the environment? If the person is entering a high-pressure situation, camera operation needs to be as simple as possible. When building the camera and recorder into a disguised object, we always try to create as close to one button recording as possible. Practise is the next thing we encourage. A person using body-worn cameras and recorders needs to practise walking, talking and filming. They need to learn the capabilities and shortcomings of the system.

When it comes to audio and video quality the most important thing to remember is that rubbish in, gives rubbish out.

We always try to create a professional system using high quality products.

HSS: Explain the technology involved in such equipment?

DM: When creating a covert CCTV system, the first option is to create a hard-wired system. Hard-wired systems are usually more reliable and offer higher quality recording. But, often an investigator does not have the time to hard-wire a system, in that case, the wireless system offers flexibility and ease of use. Wireless systems are limited by distance, interference and battery size.

Once a user has decided on hard-wired or wireless, we are able to control the camera's operation using remote controls. These include handheld remote controls, magnetic switches or body worn switches.

HSS: How do these devices and methods comply with invasion of privacy rights?

DM: This is a question that must be thought about and discussed with the legal experts. It depends on whether the investigator is party to the scene or conversation or whether they are recording a third party meeting. A lot of care and thought is usually put into planning the particular operation.

HSS: What else are these sorts of devices typically used for?

DM: Law enforcement, medical aid fraud, insurance fraud, corporate espionage investigations, private investigations, loss control in shops, factories, warehouses. We even have systems being used for secret/mystery shoppers.

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