Developing Rules of Thumb in Video and Photographic Analysis
A common request for those of us who work in video analysis (whether privately or for a law enforcement or government agency) is to enhance a license plate or compare the person (face, article of clothing, etc.) in a video to a photograph of a person. When is there...
Continue ReadingRaw vs. TIFF for Digital Camera Capture
Someone from a major law enforcement agency recently asked me for my opinion regarding the best choice between capturing raw or TIFF files from a digital camera. His concern was that the raw workflow is slower, results in duplicate images (the raw original files and the working TIFF files),...
Continue ReadingThe Value of Forensic Photography Certification
When I first started my career in forensics I didn’t recognize the importance of certification. My assumption was that my education, experience, training, and work spoke for itself. I was confident in my ability and didn’t think that having a certification would make me a better photographer. Later I...
Continue ReadingSoCal Technical & Scientific Photography and Imaging Group
I’ve just launched a new MeetUp Group in Southern California for those involved with technical and scientific imaging and photography. The purpose of the group is for those of us in technical disciplines to share ideas, techniques, processes, and solutions with each other. Imagine the software engineer, bio-medical photographer, and...
Continue ReadingForensic Rulers
I was looking at the website of a forensic vendor last week and browsing through their selection of rulers, and it prompted me to write to the vendor and make some suggestions. But, it also caused me to remember when I first met Larry Stevens, who, at the time,...
Continue ReadingImage Authentication Kickstarter Opportunity
I recently read about this on Jim Hoerricks’ Forensic Media Analysis blog. It’s a Kickstarter project to develop an image authentication application. I made a pledge and am posting this to encourage others to also do so. Here’s why. First, I don’t have any vested interest in this (other than...
Continue ReadingFeatured on f/stop spot
I was recently interviewed by Steve Paxton, a photographer in Washington state, for his blog at f/stop spot. Steve is a talented photographer who does work ranging from street photography to weddings. In his interview, he asked me about several things, from what I do as a forensic photographer and...
Continue ReadingFrye Hearing
Last month I testified in a Frye Hearing in Los Angeles. The Office of the District Attorney retained me to challenge a defense expert in a case that involved both Forensic Video Analysis and Photographic/Video Comparison. That ‘expert’ has testified 25 times in the past, but has had no training...
Continue ReadingLEVA’s FVA Certification Process
I received my Forensic Video Analyst Certification from LEVA at their annual conference last week. A few weeks ago I posted a survey about certifications in FVA and Photography. The responses to that survey showed quite a number of misconceptions. And, since LEVA’s process is fresh in my mind,...
Continue ReadingLEVA Level 3 Training
I just got home from taking the LEVA (Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Video Association) Level 3 Course at the University of Indianapolis. It’s been a couple of years since I’ve taken a class through LEVA and this class reminded me of how great their training is! I have previously...
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