Abstract: A method and apparatus to verify the authenticity of the recording is provided. An authentication code is calculated based on the contents of the recording and information describing the context of the recording. The authentication code provides assurance to a user of the recording that no elements of the recording have been altered. Recordings that are made for legal evidence purposes may include, but are not limited to audio and visual (image) information including motion pictures. Context information includes, but is not limited to date, time, longitude, latitude, camera or recorder serial number, camera orientation, camera optical parameters, and information about the recorder operator. When using such recordings for legal evidence, the authenticity of the recorded information is crucial, and also the authenticity of the parameters surrounding the recording is crucial.