Technology has traditionally provided visual evidence to acts of crime and abuse, in the form of often grainy, silent CCTV footage or edited cellphone video clips.
However, the advent of a live-streaming functions on social media, like Facebook Live, is completely changing the role technology plays in evidence collection.
Live-streaming gives witnesses the ability to broadcast what is happening to them (or others) in full colour and sound, providing a first-person-view, real-time experience to billions of people across the globe.
On Wednesday, Diamond Reynolds, based in Minnesota in the US, used Facebook Live to air the aftermath of a police shooting that resulted in the death of her fianc'e, Philando Castile.
The couple, travelling with Reynolds' four-year-old daughter, was pulled over by the police for a broken tail light. Castile declared he had a licence to carry a pistol, as is required by US law. The police officer then asked to see his driver's licence and as Castile reached into his back pocket to retrieve his wallet, he was shot four times by the officer.
A composed Reynolds calmly went live on Facebook and explained to people on the platform what had happened, while frantic screams from the officer can be heard.
The video was broadcast amidst a growing number of reported fatal police shootings of black men in the US.
Readers who want to watch the chilling video can click here. Please note it is not for sensitive viewers.
Arthur Goldstuck, MD of World Wide Worx, says there were two disturbing aspects to the video.
"The first was how aware Reynolds was of what she was doing, recording evidence and exposing police misconduct, while the officer showed a complete lack of awareness and an astonishing lack of training."
Reynolds' efforts will create massive awareness of the ability to easily expose crime and abuse, says Goldstuck.
This sentiment was echoed on Twitter. Naval Ravikant tweeted: "The guns aren't new. The violence isn't new. The connected cameras are new, and that changes everything."
Dan Gillmor said on Twitter after the shooting: "All over America people are realising there's probably no increase in executions by police. Just more phones with cameras."
The video demonstrates the power of live-streaming, which gives viewers an inside look into experiences they may be aware are happening, but have never experienced themselves.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg sent his condolences to the families of the victims and wrote on his wall: "While I hope we never have to see another video like Diamond's, it reminds us why coming together to build a more open and connected world is so important -- and how far we still have to go."
Goldstuck believes it is important for sites like Facebook to play this type of role, allowing people to show what is happening to them.
"One person pointed out that previously it was the policeman's word over the eye witness. With live-streaming, there is no need for anyone's word. You have visual evidence."
Live-streaming, and not recording for upload later, is also important. Goldstuck says now evidence cannot be suppressed, confiscated, destroyed or lost after the fact, as it is already out there.
Dave Duarte, founder of digital consultancy Treeshake, says live-streaming also provides an unedited version of events and allows for authenticity.
He says every social platform is moving towards video and this will place pressure on the telecoms industry to increase speed, lower cost of broadband and broaden access.
Changing expectations
Goldstuck says Facebook anticipated the introduction of Live would be more of a media exercise.
"The video is an incredible example of how it serves the public good instead of just being a tool for the media, about getting a message out and not just content."
Duarte says this week's happenings will open up scary issues for the social network. "It will lead to unpredicted stuff being posted and a full-time team will be needed to monitor it."
But it could potentially change how social media is used and help expose social justice issues, says Duarte.
"Live-streaming will be as fundamental as broadcast news in the near future."
Goldstuck says it is fascinating to see how the medium is being used, and this is just the beginning.
The Live feature started rolling out to South African iPhone users in February. Facebook says it is working on extending it to Android users. However, anyone - on an iPhone, an Android device or the Web - can view the live broadcasts.
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