KB postings and the law/courts

**carver** · 25th November 2007, 21:37

can whats posted on KB be used by police as evidence?
can our usernames be connected with R/L?
how much of whats said on here would stick?
and would the cops do it? and how?

tis a scary thought!

**Jantar** · 25th November 2007, 21:44

It is extremely unlikely that anything posted on here could be used as direct evidence. It is hearsay evidence at best, although the police may use anything on here to intimidate you into a confession.

In order to use anything here as direct evidence they would need to prove who the real life writer is, and prove that no other person who may have had access to the computer also knew your username and password.

**Katman** · 25th November 2007, 21:47

But if only they could, aye?

**carver** · 25th November 2007, 21:49

Originally Posted by Jantar

It is extremely unlikely that anything posted on here could be used as direct evidence. It is hearsay evidence at best, although the police may use anything on here to intimidate you into a confession.

In order to use anything here as direct evidence they would need to prove who the real life writer is, and prove that no other person who may have had access to the computer also knew your username and password.

how about photo's?
people have whispered about printouts from this site being used at crash sites.
i have a disclaimer on my user notes just in case

**Katman** · 25th November 2007, 21:54

Originally Posted by carver

i have a disclaimer on my user notes just in case

I'm sure there's plenty who would stand up and say "It was him officer".

**Jorja** · 25th November 2007, 21:59

One Kber did something silly in the real world and it was his own words on Kb that got him in trouble with the authorities.

**onearmedbandit** · 25th November 2007, 22:18

Take it to the extreme. If you confessed to a murder online, what do you think the consequences would be?

**McJim** · 25th November 2007, 22:27

I think that comments from an online forum could be used to instgate an investigation but doubt that anything, even photographic evidence, taken from a site could be used as proof in a court of law.

As Jantar points out - all you need to do is prove that you're free and easy with your log in and say you have no idea who was logged in as you at the time you made the comment.

As for photographs - most people could create any photo they want using photoshop or any one of a myriad of other photo manipulation applications.

So now that we know you can't be incriminated what's the juicy gossip?

**Romeo** · 25th November 2007, 22:36

IIRC they need a Time, Date, Location and something that places you at the scene (ie: eyewitness + plate number, or photo evidence?). If you feel the need to brag about your antics online, DON'T give enough details for them to actually make a case of it!

**RDJ** · 25th November 2007, 23:48

I'm sure that these forums are visited by people with their own agenda besides biking - looking for grist for their personal mills. The Bradford thread would be an obvious one as would 'confessions' - true or not - about speeding etc. Some of those people will either be LEOs or lawyers pass on info to those who are.

After all, when faced with Cultural Cones Of Silence and unable / unwilling to thoroughly and expeditiously investigate and prosecute killings such as the Kahuis and the Lillybings and so on, it's a lot easier to listen to noisy joyriders admitting various guilts online. Much less controversial too.

**Dargor** · 26th November 2007, 09:19

I heard somewhere that (for youtube vids) all that was need was something to distinguish the driver and the place. That was probably for american law though.

**UberRhys** · 26th November 2007, 09:30

I have heard of public internet forum posts can be used by the Police with regards to defamation of character. Or is this just idle threats from the man with no real grounds to push forward?

**Usarka** · 26th November 2007, 09:41

words alone on here? not likely unless it was serious enough for the cops to open an investigation (eg murder as per oab's post). without other evidence you could probably get away with arguing that you were talking shit.

if there is other evidence, your post may be able to be used as contributing evidence, one nail in the coffin and something for the cops to go on. Someone cutting up the motorway last night seen by the cops on an ER6n and then this morning a poster is bragging about it.....? Try your luck if you like, i wouldnt....

Others have access to your pc? courts work on the principle of reasonable doubt - would the court or a jury really believe your wife wrote a post looking like it is from you about running from the cops, cutting off an old lady and causing her to crash the day after this happening in real life? Or that your mates snuck over unseen and posted it for a laugh...?

[Edit:] and there is IP address logs which spank would have to hand over if served a warrant....