Alright guys,

so, in theory, if you were on a construction crane, or on top of an abandoned building and you were about to be arrested, would it be wise to hide or destroy your SD card considering potential evidence is on it, if you can do so without being seen hiding/destroying it?

My camera is set up so all pictures are recorded on two memory cards. I've got it down pat that I can reach into my bag for my camera, fumble around while concealing one of the memory cards, then still pull out my camera, show pictures, and even make deletions if requested without losing any data. I've done it in front of cops (albeit, Korean cops) without them noticing.

Your goal should probably be saving the data rather than destroying evidence, because where's the fun in that?

Also, while going through your pictures, the cops might not understand how your camera reads your card, so on your last picture if you click forward and go to something unrelated, they may think you only took one picture up there and stop looking.

Advanced level: have a few noodz on your card to give the cops reason to stop searching through your pictures.

I don't always remember follow the rule, but a good one I learned from more experienced people;
bring an extra memory card

Take a few on the dummy card from outside the site and then swap it, that way you can destroy/throw away/hide the real incriminating one and still have one in the camera... I think having no memory card looks far worse than having some pics from inside restricted areas

edit; but if it's something real serious, and you plan to fight it in court, YES destroy immediately

destroy it and blame it on someone like Hillary Clinton did

Posted by LuminousAphid Take a few on the dummy card from outside the site and then swap it, that way you can destroy/throw away/hide the real incriminating one and still have one in the camera...

I tried doing this on a trip to North Korea a few years ago. Eventually it became too difficult remembering which was the clean card and which already had compromising pictures. Access to the right device and I could've hidden them all. In the end, borderguards didn't inspect my cameras.

If you're arrested it probably won't matter and the data is the last of your worries. Unless it documents you committing a crime worse than trespassing which isn't part of exploring like vandalism. If you're arrested they already known you were there.

The pics may save your ass from worse charges if they collaborate your story.
Cops hate being lied to. It wastes their time and erodes your credibility. Never lie when the truth would serve you better.

Posted by Steed My camera is set up so all pictures are recorded on two memory cards. I've got it down pat that I can reach into my bag for my camera, fumble around while concealing one of the memory cards, then still pull out my camera, show pictures, and even make deletions if requested without losing any data. I've done it in front of cops (albeit, Korean cops) without them noticing. Your goal should probably be saving the data rather than destroying evidence, because where's the fun in that? Also, while going through your pictures, the cops might not understand how your camera reads your card, so on your last picture if you click forward and go to something unrelated, they may think you only took one picture up there and stop looking. Advanced level: have a few noodz on your card to give the cops reason to stop searching through your pictures.

I'm interested in knowing more about this. I mean the saving on 2 memory cards.

Posted by blackhawk If you're arrested it probably won't matter and the data is the last of your worries. Unless it documents you committing a crime worse than trespassing which isn't part of exploring like vandalism. If you're arrested they already known you were there. The pics may save your ass from worse charges if they collaborate your story. Cops hate being lied to. It wastes their time and erodes your credibility. Never lie when the truth would serve you better.

All very true


Also, at least where I live, I don't know if this a federal or state level rule or whatever, but they need a warrant to confiscate your SD card or to even look through your pictures, and they probably won't go to the trouble of getting one if all you were doing really was trespassing and they have no evidence to the contrary. Yea giving them a fake SD card might help your case more than "hey you need a warrant for that," but if they search your bag/person thoroughly enough, or if you don't pull off the SD switch like a pro, then you'll be in bad shape.

Posted by RebelDead I'm interested in knowing more about this. I mean the saving on 2 memory cards.

Just a standard feature of some cameras. If there are two slots you can choose what the second is for.

Posted by Steed Just a standard feature of some cameras. If there are two slots you can choose what the second is for.

Ahh so it's a camera thing. Gotcha thanks!

On another note.. I usually first take some outside pics that would totally be normal for anyone to take. I take that card out and keep it handy though. Go on exploring but if there is a possibility of something happening like an arrest or capture I shove the used, explored card in my sock and switch it with the first one. Viola. Of course this transition has been done and practiced many times. SAVE THE PHOTOS! ;)

Posted by TD All very true Also, at least where I live, I don't know if this a federal or state level rule or whatever, but they need a warrant to confiscate your SD card or to even look through your pictures, and they probably won't go to the trouble of getting one if all you were doing really was trespassing and they have no evidence to the contrary. Yea giving them a fake SD card might help your case more than "hey you need a warrant for that," but if they search your bag/person thoroughly enough, or if you don't pull off the SD switch like a pro, then you'll be in bad shape.

The search warrant is easy for them to get once you're arrested. If they needed the pics you wouldn't have been arrested more than likely... think about it! There's a lot of dreaming going on in this thread that probably wouldn't hold up in reality.

Would photos of the interior on your SD make matters worse? I mean if you are on the top of an abandoned building you've already been caught trespassing; how would photos make matters worse?

Posted by Landser Would photos of the interior on your SD make matters worse? I mean if you are on the top of an abandoned building you've already been caught trespassing; how would photos make matters worse?

If it shows other locations maybe you could be implicated for multiple trespassing charges?

Posted by TD If it shows other locations maybe you could be implicated for multiple trespassing charges?

I see. I personally would just upload photos to a computer immediately after an explore and wipe the SD card. But I take photos on my phone and have like 7,000 photos on it so good luck looking through all them

Posted by TD If it shows other locations maybe you could be implicated for multiple trespassing charges?

Very doubtful that they'd hit you with additional charges for any other locations on a camera card. However, it could theoretically be used to establish a pattern which may lead to a slightly higher fine or punishment.

In America (Sorry Canada) The photos you take, regardless of trespassing, are YOUR property. No one can make you delete anything, or even view hem without a warrant.. This being said, if it's forcibly taken and smashed/deleted, that's assault and destruction of property. HOWEVER - If the cops/landowner/security cut you deal like "If you delete them, I won't call the police/arrest you." Then that's your choice. If you seriously think you captured the king of all photos, by all means. Something to note: If your photos contain documents, names, addresses etc etc, then that's invasion of privacy, and best to delete those or not take them at all. Under Indiana law, this is called Photographers rights (That's why photographers can legally take pictures of celebs on the street)

Posted by SouthPaw Very doubtful that they'd hit you with additional charges for any other locations on a camera card. However, it could theoretically be used to establish a pattern which may lead to a slightly higher fine or punishment.

Yea that makes more sense, a good point.

If the cops/landowner/security cut you deal like "If you delete them, I won't call the police/arrest you." Then that's your choice.

Maybe it goes without being said, but as far as I know a verbal statement like that is far from legally binding, so when they say "If you delete them, I won't call whoever," and you delete your photos they could still completely call the police. Also, in this theoretical situation you're negotiating with someone who isn't a police officer, AKA a civilian, who doesn't have the right to detain you anyway. If it's not a cop you're completely in the clear to just leave.

(All based on my limited and potentially incorrect understanding of pertinent laws)

Posted by TD Yea that makes more sense, a good point. Maybe it goes without being said, but as far as I know a verbal statement like that is far from legally binding, so when they say "If you delete them, I won't call whoever," and you delete your photos they could still completely call the police. Also, in this theoretical situation you're negotiating with someone who isn't a police officer, AKA a civilian, who doesn't have the right to detain you anyway. If it's not a cop you're completely in the clear to just leave. (All based on my limited and potentially incorrect understanding of pertinent laws)

Like I said, it's really up to the defendant at that point. But you do hold a valid point. Someone could pull a dick move like that.

Posted by Zulu Like I said, it's really up to the defendant at that point. But you do hold a valid point. Someone could pull a dick move like that.

If the owner knew what they were doing they asked for all your cards. Deleted even formatted card data can be recovered. The real issue isn't the images, it's you being there...

Eh, again some will just make you, or try to, simply because they're mad. All of this is hypothetical