Image management and communication--a legal perspective

This paper outlines the legal issues that arise in the context of digital diagnostic image management and communication. At the heart of the study is the digital image which is manipulated, processed, communicated, stored compressed and archived, and which is difficult to ascertain from a legal point of view because of its intangible nature. At issue is, on the one hand, data protection and security and, on the other hand, legal problems as to the images' evidential force, procedural and legal admissibility and most important uncertainties about the liabilities of those involved in handling the digital image.