Cliff Richard now!

Bernie174 said:
There were. But even if there were not, then printed photos can be scanned onto computers.

PACE does allow computers to be searched, as does a search warrant if it's something that can be held on a computer. So if the warrant was to search for a nicked TV, you'd be on a sticky wicket looking at the contents of a computer hard disc. But if looking for a nicked TV that the information is was later sold on fleabay, then you would be fine.
Click to expand...

It's entirely possible for any computer, or for that matter any electronic device that stores data or pictures/videos (External HDD, USB Flash Drives, NAS, Archos units etc etc, CD ROMS, DVD Roms, Zip Drives, Floppy Discs.....), and more.

The age of the content could go back 100+ years, its why scanners took off. I am only just digitising my 35mm slides from the 1976 Farnborough Air Show! Years more stuff to go and back then it was a max 3x 36 frame rolls of film!

In terms of the stolen TV analogy, if there was an indication of a trade in stoldn goods tben a warrant may well include PC etc to see suppoting evidence of recorxs that someone may leave via spread sheets etc (Happened to a. old neighbour sell hookey cars!!!).

Wondering how the forces tbat be would deal with serious levels of encrypted files usind programmes lime PGP (Pretty Good Privacy). Forensic inspection of the platterz in a HDD may not reveal what is there.

So whatever is seized will only really be known when/if it is presented as evidence. Would suggest any seizure warrant will be general in scope but specific in the detail.

Steve
 
As I recall, a warrant was usually applied for in general terms, but general enough to be able to look everywhere, so TV and remote remote control does give much more latitude than a TV, meaning you can look in a chest of draws for the remote, but you can't for a 42 inch TV! If of course you find a big bag of herbal substance in said draw, then happy xmas!
So, an application to search for evidence including possibly photographs of indecency with children would be wide enough to look on, and seize for the purpose of examining a Computer and any hard disks found.
Please note this is a general answer, and not specific to CR, I have no idea what the allegation is against him, nor if or what any search warrant specified.
 
gramps said:
There isn't much that cannot be found if the possible 'rewards' make it worthwhile.
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Very true

BUT

PGP worried the US Government so much that at one time it's creator, Phil Zimmerman, was supposedly going to be charged for making "weapons grade" material available to foreign powers.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Zimmermann

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pretty_Good_Privacy

It's strength and availability led to something of a panic in government circles but I am sure with the power of modern processors and bundled kit that PGP has been 'cracked'. Been a long time since I used it and even back in the 1990s I was not sure why I did!

There are many ways to hide things electronicslly but for me the simplest thing is not to have tbings on your computer you wouldn't want yor mother to see!

Steve
 
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Hugh
You are assuming that Mr Average has a program he's probably never heard of. If it was computers that were seized, then it's for the Police to get the evidence, no need for you, or anyone else to worry about it.
 
Bernie174 said:
Hugh
You are assuming that Mr Average has a program he's probably never heard of. If it was computers that were seized, then it's for the Police to get the evidence, no need for you, or anyone else to worry about it.
Click to expand...

Sorry Bernie but PGP has been "in the wild" for 23 years now and as an early adopter of the Internet, Undernet and CLI (all pre WWW) I still comd across people very aware of it and a search on Google will show that Mr Average (as you deem them) is often far more capable at working with IT, the net and its various tools than many wiz kids are. I have been interested in convergence technologies for over 40 years now.

As for my "worrying" about evidence gathering I personally do not give a toss what the police are or are not doing. Remember some of us oldies were assisting the development of tbe IWF whilst Hendon et al were turning out 'plods'. Glad to say there are some very bright people working with those who look after us these days.

Grateful for your input thus far on this thread. Very useful.

Steve
 
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