App-Generated Evidence: A Promising Tool for International Criminal Justice?

Abstract

The present article explores and discusses the increasing use of mobile phone applications (apps) for the purpose of evidence collection in the context of international criminal trials. It sheds light on the numerous initiatives that have surfaced recently and critically addresses their potential, limitations and pitfalls on a normative, factual and epistemological level. We argue that apps could be a useful means, capable of solving some of the recurrent problems in the evidence collection process, provided that the rights of the persons involved are respected, certain safeguards are taken, and that this new development is critically monitored.