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Happy Holidays Everyone!
The end of the year is here and I have been reviewing my notes for 2007. There have been some pleasant surprises as well as some awful disappointments. So in the spirit of the holidays, I've created a Video and Image Forensics Naughty and Nice List.
Naughty:
1. Codec Drama - As digital video evidence becomes the dominant player in the video surveillance market, the number of proprietary players and specialized codecs increases. Finding the right codec or player for the files received from DVRs and digital video surveillance systems can become a full time job! Add to this the difficulties with conflicts when multiple codecs and players are installed on the same system. To deal with this drama, check out the resources in the Nice list and develop an SOP to deal with the installation of new codecs and players.
2. Adobe Photoshop CS3 Printing Issues in Windows - Many Windows users have complained about the new Print dialog box in CS3. In an attempt to simplify the printing process several errors occurred. Users lost their printer settings, images would print differently than desired, and some printers connected to the system wouldn't be available in the Print dialog box in CS3. Photoshop product manager John Nack wrote in his blog "We know that many people have been
unhappy with printing from Photoshop CS3 (overwhelmingly on Windows), and we've
been working on changes that will make things work better. Unfortunately the process isn't as quick as we'd like, given the sheer number
of hardware, printer driver, and operating system combinations." The good news is an update to CS3 was made available November 15th. Details on this update through John Nack's blog are available here.
3. Quality of Video Evidence - How is it possible that retailers and businesses can spend lots of money on a video surveillance system and not require the video to provide enough detail for identification purposes? From conversations with owners of digital video surveillance systems many find that they are uneducated consumers driven by price and convenience. They simply do not understand the effects of resolution, compression, and frame rate. They also overestimate the capabilities of the Forensic Video Analyst due to popular crime shows on television. Many resellers/installers of these systems also suffer the same ignorance. The good news is manufacturers are attempting to differentiate themselves by focusing on maintaining quality and the use of megapixel cameras. For more details check out companies like Avigilon, IQinVision, and Axis Communications.
Nice:
1. Pedophile Who Masked Identity, Identified - The identity of a suspected pedophile who posted digitally altered photos of himself with young boys on the internet was revealed using forensic image processing techniques. After releasing the recovered images to the media in early October, the suspect was identified and arrested 10 days later in Northern Thailand. More information on the digital alteration and before and after processing images can be found here.
2. Resources for Codecs and Players - Every agency should keep track of the type of digital surveillance systems they encounter and the codecs and players they use for playback. To help you find those players and codecs, Larry Compton, a Forensic Video Analyst, has created a website to track and document players and codecs. Check out his website at www.larrycompton.com/dvr.html
3. New Book on Forensic Image Processing Techniques - Photoshop CS3 for Forensics Professionals: A Complete Digital Imaging Course for Investigators (Paperback) by George Reis is now available. This book is an excellent resource for practical image processing techniques and includes a CD with image files for practicing clarification techniques. Resolution Video has this book available for purchase on its own or in addition to our classes. If you live outside the US and are having difficulty ordering this book, contact us today at 703-759-7803 - we will ship internationally.
4. Codec Management - A common question that has been posed lately is "how do I manage the codecs that I need to install in order to play back the video files I receive?" The good news is there are several programs that can help you do just that. Tools are available that help you to determine what codecs are installed on your system and programs like Norton Ghost and Deep Freeze allow you to preserve baseline computer configurations. Incorporating these programs into a Standard Operating Procedure that deals with digital video evidence will assist in keeping your processing system fully functional.
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The "Naughty and Nice List" will be continually updated throughout 2008 and used to greatly improve the training classes we offer on Forensic Video and Image Analysis. Each of our classes are continually updated to ensure we provide you with the latest information available - techniques and procedures tested and documented for your use back in the office. Check out our current schedule below or on our website at www.resvid.com.
Have a wonderful and safe holiday. We hope to see you in class in 2008!
Dorothy
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Dorothy Stout
Resolution Video Inc.
www.resvid.com
703-759-7803
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Forensic Video Analysis for Avid - Level 1
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 Learn practical analysis and enhancement techniques using the Avid system! This three-day class focuses on what you need to know for everyday examinations of video evidence. Multiple hands-on exercises on real video evidence ensure you understand and can apply these forensic examination techniques.
One of our previous students stated: "After taking the basic Ocean Systems class, I had a general
understanding of how to use the Avid system. With your class, I can
better utilize the tools in the Avid system and feel confident in my
abilities. You really taught us practical applications."
This class is appropriate for people who are new to the Avid system as well as those people in need of a refresher. For more information and to register, click here.
Where & When
Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department
Santa Barbara, CA
January 29 - 31, 2008
Cost
$895.00
Registration
Click here for more information and to access our on-line registration form.
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Forensic Digital Photography - NEW
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 With the digital camera you use to document incidents and crime scenes, gain practical experience in forensic photography and photo problem solving. This two-day class is full of exercises allowing you to see what works and what doesn't!
Forensic Digital Photography covers such topics as correcting bad exposures, fill flash, and common photography scenarios such as night time, indoor, injuries, computers and cell phones. If you use a digital camera for investigative documentation, this class is a must.
Where & When
Lakeland Police Department
Lakeland, FL
February 26 - 27, 2008
Cost
$425.00
Registration
Click here for more information and to access our on-line registration form.
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Forensic Video Analysis - Level 1
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 Understanding video evidence is critical for Forensic Video Analysis. With the basic knowledge of the technology behind digital and analog video evidence, the proper tools can be used to deliver the best evidence.
Forensic Video Analysis - Level 1 delivers the details about video evidence technology and the tools available for analysis.
This class was designed to meet the needs of three types of students:
- Students who are new to Forensic Video Analysis and are looking to develop a capability and purchase equipment
- Students who already have equipment but are in need of updated training on analog and digital video technologies and the latest tools for analysis
- Students who are looking for an introductory course on Forensic Video Analysis prior to taking other basic week-long educational courses
Forensic Video Analysis - Level 1 is a hands-on class with practical, technical training on processing techniques available to all organizations for the examination of video evidence.
Where & When
Grand Prairie Police Department
Near Dallas, TX
March 5 - 7, 2008
Cost
$895.00
Registration
Click here for more information and to access our on-line registration form.
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Digital Video and Adobe Photoshop
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 Learn techniques for processing and enhancing digital video evidence from recovery to image clarification. This four-day class provides effective techniques for the recovery, playback and analysis of video file as well as image processing techniques using Adobe Photoshop.
The first two days of Digital Video and Adobe Photoshop covers processes for handling codecs and players, file conversion techniques, and video file processing tools. The next two days covers image clarification techniques for digital video images using Adobe Photoshop CS3. After taking this class, many students remark "This class changed my approach to digital video evidence!"
Where & When
Tucson Police Department
Tucson, AZ
May 19 - 22, 2008
Cost
$895.00
Registration
Click here for more information and to access our on-line registration form.
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Digital Video Evidence Recovery
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 Digital video surveillance systems present a multitude of challenges when attempting to recover the video evidence of an incident. Understanding the best practices and guidelines is helpful but putting that knowledge to the test is indispensable!
Digital Video Evidence Recovery provides you with the opportunity to work on a variety of digital video surveillance systems in an attempt to recover video evidence!
Most methods of recovery will be demonstrated and practiced in this three-day class providing you with a better understanding of how to recover the "best evidence".
Where & When
Fairfax County Police Department
Chantilly, VA (near Washington, DC)
June 17 - 19, 2008
Cost
$895.00
Registration
Click here for more information and to access our on-line registration form.
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