Gillespie, Alisdair Allan (2018) Recording Murder : Videos depicting homicide and the law? In: Homicide in Criminal Law : A Research Companion. Substantive issues in Criminal Law . Routledge, London, pp. 174-192. ISBN 9781138498419
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Abstract
The folk-lore of the 'snuff video' (a video showing the killing of a person for the purposes of sexual gratification) has existed for many years, but without proof of their existence. However, digital communication technologies mean that it is easier than ever to record footage of a murder and post it online. This has happened in a small number of occasions and it poses challenges for the criminal law. Should the recording of a murder be illegal? What about its dissemination? If such footage is to be prohibited, on what basis? This chapter considers these issues and identifies what the current approach of the law in England & Wales is to such behaviour.