How surveillance tech led police to accuse the wrong person

How surveillance tech led police to accuse the wrong person

A porch theft accusation in Colorado shows how surveillance tools like Flock cameras and phone data can both harm and help your defense

Flock cameras are used in towns across the nation as license plate readers. A Colorado woman was accused of porch theft after police relied on surveillance tech, including Flock cameras, that incorrectly linked her vehicle to the scene. (Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union via Getty Images)

Chrisanna Elser's situation highlights how surveillance tools can generate leads but still require human verification to avoid mistakes. (Antranik Tavitian/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

A Columbine Valley Police officer questions Chrisanna Elser on her front porch near Bow Mar, Colorado. Police later dropped the case after reviewing new evidence showing the Elser's vehicle was parked during the alleged crime. (Columbine Valley Police Department)

License plate reader data and doorbell footage led police to accuse the wrong suspect before new evidence cleared her. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)