The investigation into the death of a homeless man, who was shot by an officer in Los Angeles city's Skid Row, is bringing a new perspective on the use of body cameras worn by police officers while they are on duty.

These cameras have been widely used yet the equipment remained an untested tool in terms of enhancing the relationship between the law enforcers and the people, law enforcement experts said.

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The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said at least two officers were wearing body cameras when the Skid Row incident took place.

Clips from their cameras, along with the footage taken from witnesses and caught by surveillance cameras, will help determine whether or not the cops were justified in shooting the man.

The officers had claimed that the victim, who was a suspect in a previous robbery case, took one of the policemen's service weapons during a street confrontation.

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said the cop had repeatedly screamed that the man had his gun before several shots rang out. The three officers had allegedly fired a total of five shots.

Beck added that the videos recorded in the body cameras "offers a unique perspective that we believe will be crucial to determine the propriety of the officers' actions."

The clips have not been released by the LAPD as Beck said such a move will be premature.

He, however, promised to release the video recording, along with the other pieces of evidence, once the investigation is finished.

The use of body cameras is part of a pilot program that has just been launched in the Skid Row area.

Law enforcement agencies are planning to expand the project's coverage to include the whole city of Los Angeles. Before it is enforced, the Los Angeles police commission has to give its go-signal.

Wearing of body cameras by police officers was conceptualized in 2013 as a way of studying the best uses of the gadget.

There are now protocols being drafted to guide the storage and distribution of the footage.

Body cameras became a focal point of a heated debate on police reforms last summer, following the killings of civilians in Ferguson, Missouri, New York and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Los Angeles is set to increase its investment on body cameras even as it already has 800 of these gadgets. In the coming months, it plans to purchase 800 more.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti hopes the body cameras will aid in the investigations of  incidents where the use of force is applied, just like what happened last Sunday along Skid Row.

Tagsskid row, Los Angeles