Obtain verbal permission from us to submit evidence. If authenticity is at issue, contact us for recommendations specific to the circumstances.
If tape do a general visual inspection of tape and cassette housings to: Ensure housing is intact, Inspect tape for obvious damage (e.g., twisting, separation,crinkled). If damage is found, document and include with cassette. If possible determine the make, model, and settings of the device used to record the submitted video. These settings include the recording format and speed. Enable any record-protection device (e.g., punch-out tab, slide record tab, remove record button). Determine if the tape is an original or a copy. If it is an original, proceed. If it is a copy, contact the submitter and request that original tape be submitted. We can provide supporting documentation for this. If the copy is the best available, inform us to proceed with the examination.
If digital determine the make, model, and software version of the device used to record the submitted audio or video. We recommend that all evidence be sent to us on physical media (CD, DVD, USB Drive) as opposed to using the internet. Determine if the file is a bit for bit copy of an original recording. If it is, proceed. If it is a copy transcoded to another format, contact the submitter and request that original format be submitted. We can provide supporting documentation for this. If the transcoded copy is the best available, inform us to proceed with the examination.
When hand delivery is not practical, send by the highest trackable methed. FedEx is our shipper of choice. Use plenty of bubble wrap. Note on the airbill that a signature must be obtained by the FedEx driver when package is delivered.