FORENSIC ANALYSIS OF TEMPORAL INCONSISTENCIES AND METADATA DISCREPANCIES IN CCTV FOOTAGE: A CASE STUDY

Abstract

The forensic reliability of closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage is central to contemporary criminal investigations; yet temporal irregularities in recorded video often generate disputes regarding authenticity and alleged tampering. This case study critically examines temporal inconsistencies and metadata discrepancies observed in CCTV footage submitted for forensic evaluation, where the primary investigative question concerned potential digital manipulation. Two video clips captured from different camera angles (Cam3 and Cam5) were analysed using Dahua Smart Player Version 4.0.0 through a systematic methodology combining real-time playback, frame-by-frame examination, stopwatch-based time verification, cross-angle synchronization assessment, and metadata analysis. The findings reveal measurable discrepancies between on-screen time progression, real-time measurement, and metadata-reported durations, alongside fluctuating synchronization between camera feeds. However, no visual discontinuities, frame deletions, insertions, or compression artefacts indicative of deliberate tampering were detected. Instead, the anomalies are attributable to technical factors inherent to CCTV systems, including variable bit rate compression, frame rate fluctuations, system clock desynchronization, and recording load constraints. Critically, this study demonstrates that temporal drift and metadata-playback mismatches can arise even in authentic and continuous footage, challenging simplistic assumptions that equate timing irregularities with manipulation. The findings underscore the necessity for forensic practitioners to adopt a holistic, technically informed interpretive framework that integrates system architecture, encoding behaviour, and metadata structure before reaching conclusions on video authenticity. By distinguishing system-induced artefacts from intentional interference, this study contributes to improving the evidentiary assessment of CCTV footage and mitigating the risk of wrongful exclusion or misinterpretation of digital video evidence in judicial proceedings.