Police Use Skype To Obtain Blood Search Warrants

[The Straight Story]

Police Use Skype To Obtain Blood Search Warrants
Webcam Helps Palm Bay Police Get Warrant In Timely Fashion

PALM BAY, Fla. -- In this era of technology, Palm Bay police are using Skype to obtain blood search warrants in cases involving impaired drivers.

Palm Bay police Cpl. Darin Morgan developed the process, which expedites the process of obtaining evidence in an efficient manner. Skype is a computer application that allows users to make face-to-face voice calls over the Internet.

"When it comes to impairment, time is of the essence," said Morgan, who worked with Judge David Silverman and prosecutors with the state attorney's office to create the process. "The goal is to get the most accurate capture of evidence closest to the time of the incident, and our experience using Skype helps us do that."

Morgan purchased a webcam to use in his patrol car, and when he has probable cause to obtain blood from an individual suspected of impaired driving, the officer contacts the judge by cell phone and then emails the appropriate documents, including the affidavit with a digital signature within the document.

http://www.clickorlando.com/technology/27342886/detail.html

[guruoo]

1. Could be used by activists to transmit 'evidence' real time and thus prevent it's destruction nt