Glossary
Body-Cam Footage
Video and audio recorded by body-worn cameras used by law enforcement officers.
Body-worn camera (BWC) footage is video and audio recorded from cameras typically mounted on a police officer's chest or shoulder. Most U.S. law enforcement agencies now mandate body-cam use, making this footage a standard component of criminal case discovery. Defense attorneys can request body-cam footage from all officers present at a scene. The footage often provides a different perspective than officer reports and can be critical for identifying procedural violations, excessive force, or exculpatory evidence. The main challenge is volume — a single incident can generate hours of multi-officer footage.