ABSTRACT
Historically, all cultures have had systems of surveillance and eyewitnessing. Watchtowers were built for observation and signaling; armies have always posted sentries. All legal systems rely on eyewitness testimony, which has a complex history itself. From a practical and current standpoint, surveillance and eyewitnessing come together in US and cross-cultural contexts regarding surveillance technology. Various questionnaires can be created on the spot to evaluate group opinions about surveillance. Specifically, discussion could center on situations in which surveillance would be rated as acceptable. Body cameras for police are being implemented worldwide and were a crucial element in the conviction of several police officers in Minneapolis in 2020 for their conduct during the arrest of a citizen, George Floyd. In the absence of a body camera, photo decks for comparing faces can easily be assembled from published photos in news magazines or other sources online.
