                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS EVIDENCE IN CERTAIN LARCENY AND BURGLARY PROSECUTIONS (§
19.2-270.1)

In any prosecution for larceny under the provisions of §§ 18.2-95, 18.2-96 or
§ 18.2-98, or for shoplifting under the provisions of § 18.2-103, or for
burglary under the provisions of §§ 18.2-89, 18.2-90, 18.2-91 or § 18.2-92,
photographs of the goods, merchandise, money or securities alleged to have been
taken or converted shall be deemed competent evidence of such goods,
merchandise, money or securities and shall be admissible in any proceeding,
hearing or trial of the case to the same extent as if such goods, merchandise,
money or securities had been introduced as evidence. Such photographs shall bear
a written description of the goods, merchandise, money or securities alleged to
have been taken or converted, the name of the owner of such goods, merchandise,
money or securities and the manner of the identification of same by such owner,
or the name of the place wherein the alleged offense occurred, the name of the
accused, the name of the arresting or investigating police officer or
conservator of the peace, the date of the photograph and the name of the
photographer. Such writing shall be made under oath by the arresting or
investigating police officer or conservator of the peace, and the photographs
identified by the signature of the photographer. Upon the filing of such
photograph and writing with the police authority or court holding such goods and
merchandise as evidence, such goods or merchandise shall be returned to their
owner, or the proprietor or manager of the store or establishment wherein the
alleged offense occurred.

HISTORY: 1976, c. 577; 1985, c. 184; 1987, c. 493; 1995, c. 447.