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Surveillance
From Space: An Emerging Source of Legal Evidence
Some of the most powerful evidence
is visual: a picture or image. Aerial photography has
provided effective evidence in many legal questions in
which an overhead perspective is beneficial. Space-based
platforms of observation offer many advantages, but have
long been the exclusive domain of intelligence gathering
agencies. As advanced satellite imaging has gone
commercial in recent years, that situation has begun to
rapidly change.
Today, dozens of imaging satellites
provide an untapped resource for attorneys and other
legal professionals. In those instances to date where
satellite imagery has been utilized as legal evidence,
the outcomes have been overwhelmingly in favor of the
user. In fact, many times the existence of satellite
image evidence has induced a settlement out of court due
to its cogency.
Satellite surveillance provides an
ideal source of evidence in many legal actions. The
growing number of imaging satellites and their constant
operation, as distinct from the mission specific nature
of aerial photography, make satellite surveillance
analogous to a security camera. Satellite platforms
provide repeat coverage of a site, global access and
coverage, rapid deployment to image an event in
progress, cost effectiveness, and secrecy.
The
Satellite Image Evidence (SIE) Group at Archer
Geographic has been formed to provide clients in the
legal community the capability to utilize satellite
image evidence to win cases. We have brought all the
necessary elements together from data search and
acquisition services, to data handling and analysis, to
the creation of courtroom graphics and presentations and
to providing expert witness services. | 
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