This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) provides instruction and guidance to police officers and police staff when dealing with potential evidence stored on digital media devices. The rules of evidence apply equally to digital based electronic evidence as much as they do to material obtained from other sources.  It is always the responsibility of the officer in charge of a case to ensure compliance with legislation and in particular; to be sure that the procedures adopted in the seizure of any property is done in accordance with statute and current case law.