Recorded custodial interviews are usually done with a dedicated interview room recording system: fixed covert or overt cameras, room microphones, and software that time-stamps recordings, logs who accessed them and exports them to evidence management. Meeting-room video conferencing gear is not a replacement for that system. Where it fits is the video side around it: remote interpreters, remote prosecutors or attorneys, video court appearances and training rooms.
Interview recording vs video conferencing
| Interview recording system | Video conferencing | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Create an evidentiary record | Live two-way communication |
| Key features | Tamper-evident files, audit trail, chain of custody, retention, export | Echo cancellation, framing, meeting platform |
| Storage | Local or agency-controlled evidence storage | Usually the platform's cloud (if recorded at all) |
| Typical vendors | Specialized public-safety AV and evidence vendors | Logitech, Poly, Yealink, Jabra, Neat, AVer |
Many states require or encourage electronic recording of custodial interviews for certain offenses, and agencies set their own policies on equipment and retention. Confirm requirements with your agency's legal advisor and your evidence management vendor before choosing hardware.
What a good interview room recording captures
- Clear audio of everyone. Audio is the most important part of an interview record. Rooms are small and hard-surfaced, so echo and HVAC noise are common problems. Acoustic treatment helps. See conference room acoustics.
- A full view of the room. Usually a wide, fixed camera showing all participants, with nothing hidden from view.
- Faces. A second camera or a camera with enough resolution to see expressions clearly.
- Accurate time. Synchronized date and time on all sources.
- Unbroken recording. Start before the subject enters and stop after they leave, with no gaps.
Where conferencing hardware helps
| Use | Setup |
|---|---|
| Remote interpreter or language line on video | USB bar such as the Poly Studio R30 on a laptop, or a speakerphone for audio-only |
| Remote attorney or prosecutor consultation | A small private room with a video bar, separate from interview rooms |
| Video court appearances | See courtroom video conferencing |
| Briefings and training | See police department briefing rooms |
A PTZ camera like the AVer PTZ310UV2 offers USB, HDMI, SDI and IP outputs (including NDI|HX3), so it can feed a recording system and a video call at the same time. Whether a given camera is supported is up to your recording software vendor.
Audio options
- Room mic: an omni mic such as the Yealink CP50 can be placed on a small table for video calls. For evidentiary recording, use the microphones your recording vendor specifies, often ceiling or wall-mounted to keep them out of reach.
- Portable: a Jabra Speak2 75 speakerphone handles interpreter or attorney calls from any room.
See what is acoustic echo cancellation for why conferencing mics process audio and why that processing is not always wanted in an evidence recording.
Security and compliance
- Sourcing rules: federally funded agencies may face restrictions on certain camera manufacturers. See NDAA and TAA compliant video conferencing.
- Network: keep cameras and recorders on an isolated network. CJIS Security Policy applies to criminal justice information systems; work with your agency's IT and CJIS officer.
- Room safety: use tamper-resistant mounts and keep cables and devices out of the subject's reach.
- Default passwords: change them on every IP camera. See how to secure meeting room devices.
Need video for interpreter calls, court appearances or briefing rooms? Tell us the spaces you're equipping and we'll quote the conferencing side.
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