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Stephen Mason, Barrister, with a team of international contributors
Publisher LexisNexis. Price: £178.21
ISBN/ISSN: 9781405749121. April 2010
Paper is terribly last millennium. Relevant material now regularly exists on servers, laptops, mobile telephones and a whole variety of gadgets. Pressure for electronic service and presentation of cases is coming from a variety of sources, such as the CPS’ digital drive starting this April. For counsel to advise properly, there is a need to understand the workings of these little black boxes, not only so that challenges can be made but also so that such technology can be used to best present one’s case.
Stephen Mason’s book is a wide-sweeping work that seeks to provide a deeper understanding of the issues involved for all aspects of electronic evidence.
Sensibly, it starts with general terms and the sources of digital evidence. The explanations on basics in computing are welcome and thankfully jargon free. No doubt due to the rapid changes in this world, it does not claim to be a comprehensive review of the technologies.
The absence of specific references to social networking and to tablet computing is a shame given their ubiquity and ever increasing use as a source of evidence. Such a point is minor, however, given the true strength of this book. The rebuttable presumption of a properly functioning computer is one in which we all be familiar. Professor Tapper’s suggestion that this is a “rash assumption in relation to such sophisticated devices, with so much potential error, as computers” is quoted with approval. Why this is the case and what one should do about it is fully addressed.
Issues of reliability, authenticity and quality are dealt with succinctly and elegantly. Mason gives a thorough guide not only on how to recognise whether there is a need to go beyond the face value of the evidence, but also authoritatively on the steps needed to mount a proper challenge.
Who knows what devices we can’t live without will exist in the near future. What is certain is that the need to understand electronic evidence thoroughly is going to become more important. Mason’s book is a valuable first step to that goal.
Neil Ross, 15 New bridge Street
Stephen Mason’s book is a wide-sweeping work that seeks to provide a deeper understanding of the issues involved for all aspects of electronic evidence.
Sensibly, it starts with general terms and the sources of digital evidence. The explanations on basics in computing are welcome and thankfully jargon free. No doubt due to the rapid changes in this world, it does not claim to be a comprehensive review of the technologies.
The absence of specific references to social networking and to tablet computing is a shame given their ubiquity and ever increasing use as a source of evidence. Such a point is minor, however, given the true strength of this book. The rebuttable presumption of a properly functioning computer is one in which we all be familiar. Professor Tapper’s suggestion that this is a “rash assumption in relation to such sophisticated devices, with so much potential error, as computers” is quoted with approval. Why this is the case and what one should do about it is fully addressed.
Issues of reliability, authenticity and quality are dealt with succinctly and elegantly. Mason gives a thorough guide not only on how to recognise whether there is a need to go beyond the face value of the evidence, but also authoritatively on the steps needed to mount a proper challenge.
Who knows what devices we can’t live without will exist in the near future. What is certain is that the need to understand electronic evidence thoroughly is going to become more important. Mason’s book is a valuable first step to that goal.
Neil Ross, 15 New bridge Street
Stephen Mason, Barrister, with a team of international contributors
Publisher LexisNexis. Price: £178.21
ISBN/ISSN: 9781405749121. April 2010
Paper is terribly last millennium. Relevant material now regularly exists on servers, laptops, mobile telephones and a whole variety of gadgets. Pressure for electronic service and presentation of cases is coming from a variety of sources, such as the CPS’ digital drive starting this April. For counsel to advise properly, there is a need to understand the workings of these little black boxes, not only so that challenges can be made but also so that such technology can be used to best present one’s case.
Update from the Chair of the Bar
By David Green
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, examines the forensic science underpinning hair drug testing, its evidential scope and limitations, and why it remains the gold standard for evidencing patterns of drug use in family proceedings
Unlocking your aged debt to fund your tax in one easy step. By Philip N Bristow
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, discusses the upcoming changes to pensions and Inheritance Tax and the potential impact on your financial future
Save the Children UK is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
The Chief Legal Officer to the Metropolitan Police, barrister Brett Welch, tells Anthony Inglese CB about his mission and the work to turn the Met around
Barrister apprenticeships – shortly to provide the fourth pathway to the Bar – are an ideal opportunity to support local talent and ‘grow your own’, say Tim Coulson and Dr Jane Dennehy
Born from a grievance, their research project grew into a book and is now challenging the status quo. Emma Price and Emma-Louise Fenelon reveal the key findings – and the critical next steps
Grok around and find out – or not? Mariya Peykova investigates the nudification scandal, what the law has to say about sexually explicit deepfakes, and whether stronger regulation is needed
Oliver Lewis spotlights an overlooked yet rapidly evolving area of law – coercive and controlling behaviour within care contexts
