Interview with CCTV Forensics Expert Iain McArthur

Iain McArthur has over 26 years of experience working as a forensic audio/video enhancement and transcription specialist in serious crime. He has worked on high profile cases for criminal defence, police and intelligence agencies as well as for the Royal Military Police in the aftermath of the Iraq war.

He holds an OND in Electronics/Sound Engineering and an HNC in Mechanical/Production Engineering and has trained the Hungarian Secret Service in his long career. In his spare time, Iain enjoys writing film music. [how could I make that up?]

We asked him a few questions to get to know him better.

What is a typical day for you?

Get up, wonder why I do this weird job, drink black coffee and then start work and realise why I do this weird work.

Weird strokes for weird folks, huh? What is the weirdest thing you have worked on?

Likely a private case involving cheating partners spying covertly on their other half. People are so strange!

Can you give an example of an interesting case you have worked on?

The murder of Suzanne Tamim in Abu Dhabi by her billionaire boyfriend in Egypt's ex-cop bodyguard, it was definitely like a movie plot, involving powerful ex-boyfriends and kick-boxers. Either that or the fake army photo case that resulted in Piers Morgan being fired as editor of the Mirror!

What are the common misconceptions that people have about the work you do?

That it's all interesting and exciting. 90% of it is being in a dark room pouring over CCTV footage/audio repeatedly. 10% of it is exciting.

Sounds like my life, Iain. What is one thing you would like people working in defence law to know about your sector?

Those things take a lot of time and we are not capable of what they watch in CSI Miami....it's fictional!!

Thank you, Iain, for answering our questions in such an efficient manner.

To find out more about Voice Recognition & Audio Enhancement services offered by Forensic Access or Tel: 01235 774870 to speak with our team or fill out our contact form.