Fully updated, the second edition of this book covers the widespread advances in digital imaging technology, techniques, and devices. It discusses the increased power, storage capacity, and use of digital cameras, laptop computers, tablets, and cell phones in forensic science. It addresses methods for presenting evidence in a courtroom, including under Frye and Daubert rules. It also explains concepts with minimal jargon, making it accessible to a wide range of photography, criminal justice, forensic, and legal professionals.
It happens all too often: The vague images of a poor quality video from a surveillance camera splash across the screen in a darkened courtroom and the guilt or innocence of the defendant hinges on whether or not the jury can determine if he or she is really the person in those images. Interpretation and misinterpretation of information about imaging in general, and digital image manipulation in computers in particular, by expert witnesses on both sides, and by counsel who ask questions that are both confused and confusing, may or may not help the jury in reaching a decision. Clearly there is a need for a simple guide to digital imaging for law and forensic professionals. Forensic Uses of Digital Imaging addresses that need. Written by the author of the best selling Image Processing Handbook, it shows you step-by-step how to use digital imaging to its best advantage. It explains by example when and why some procedures are appropriate and what they can be expected to reveal. While other books discuss computer programming to implement algorithms, this book shows in more simple terms just what the advantages and shortcomings of digital imaging are, and how computer image processing can be used to enhance the ability to access detail without compromising the truth of images. Practitioners will learn how to testify about their procedures and results in simple, precise language. Counsel will discover appropriate avenues for questioning to bring forth such explanations, and how to challenge witnesses who may confuse or mislead juries with wrong information or opinions.
Understanding Forensic Digital Imaging offers the principles of forensic digital imaging and photography in a manner that is straightforward and easy to digest for the professional and student. It provides information on how to photograph any setting that may have forensic value, details how to follow practices that are acceptable in court, and recommends what variety of hardware and software are most valuable to a practitioner. In addition to chapters on basic topics such as light and lenses, resolution, and file formats, the book contains forensic-science-specific information on SWGIT and the use of photography in investigations and in court. Of particular note is Chapter 17, Establishing Quality Requirements, which offers information on how to create a good digital image, and is more comprehensive than any other source currently available. Covers topics that are of vital importance to the practicing professional Serves as an up-to-date reference in the rapidly evolving world of digital imaging Uses clear and concise language so that any reader can understand the technology and science behind digital imaging
"This hands-on guide clarifies the difference between what can be done digitally and what should be done in a forensic setting, and helps the reader "learn by doing" with exercises and step-by-step instructions. The images and exercises in the CD-ROM provide practical examples of the techniques described in the book." "Law enforcement professionals who follow the recommendations in this text can feel confident that their handling of imaging evidence will stand up to the high standards necessary for prosecuting criminal cases."--BOOK JACKET.
Well-documented scenes can prove to be invaluable pieces of evidence at trial, and the ability to take compelling photographs is a critical skill for forensic scientists and investigators. Practical Forensic Digital Imaging: Applications and Techniques is an up-to-date and thorough treatment of digital imaging in the forensic sciences. Balancing pr
Alternate Light Source Imaging provides a brief guide to digital imaging using reflected infrared and ultraviolet radiation for crime scene photographers. Clear and concise instruction illustrates how to accomplish good photographs in a variety of forensic situations. It demonstrates how tunable wavelength light sources and digital imaging techniques can be used to successfully locate and document physical evidence at the crime scene, in the morgue, or in the laboratory. The scientific principles that make this type of photography possible are described, followed by the basic steps that can be utilized to capture high quality evidentiary photographs. About the Forensic Studies for Criminal Justice Series: The Forensic Studies for Criminal Justice series consists of short-format content on new developments, unique perspectives, or how-to information on areas in forensic science—all specifically designed to meet the needs of the criminal justice community. Instructors wishing to provide their students with more in-depth coverage on certain forensic areas can add these digestible, inexpensive works to their syllabi without having to completely redesign their course, introduce overly complex material, or financially overburden their students. Law enforcement and other criminal justice professionals will find a wealth of valuable information to improve training sessions. Written by experts in the disciplines they are covering and edited by a senior scholar in criminal justice, Forensic Studies for Criminal Justice opens up the world of forensic science to the criminal justice community. Part of a new Anderson series presenting brief works on forensic science, written especially for students and law enforcement Clear, concise instruction on the fundamentals of alternate light source imaging Covers a variety of crime scene situations Full-color images
Digital imaging technology has been used in forensics since at least 1992, yet until now there?has been?no practical instruction available to address the unique issues of image processing in an everyday forensic environment. Photoshop CS3 for Forensics Professionals serves the everyday, real-world needs of law enforcement and legal personnel dealing with digital images (including both photos and video stills). This book is an excellent tool for: Law enforcement personnel, from crime scene and arson investigators, detectives, and patrol officers to forensic photographers, fingerprint examiners, video analysts, tool mark and footwear examiners, and criminalists. Security pros in such fields as private investigation, insurance, fraud detection, and loss prevention. Scientific and technical users of Photoshop with workflows similar to law enforcement, such as medical photographers, research imaging experts, engineering and architecture staff, and industrial photographers. Staff responsible for maintaining a photo archive or printing images for court. Photoshop CS3 for Forensics Professionals is the only book to provide forensics professionals with specific answers to their imaging questions. This is the perfect resource for those who want to move from simple theory to the essential skills needed to be more effective. This resource is dividied into three parts: Part I: The Essentials is about setting up your workflow, archiving your images, and familiarizing yourself with Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Bridge, including the setting up of preferences. Also covered are the best practices in writing reports and providing courtroom testimony. Part II: The Digital Darkroom teaches how to use Photoshop to accomplish what traditionally was done in the darkroom, from correcting color casts to making prints and exhibits for courtroom use. Part III: Image Analysis & Enhancement covers techniques for clarifying images so that details can be better viewed and used for analysis or comparison, from contrast enhancement and pattern removal to even forensic video analysis. The companion CD-ROM provides sample images—including various accident and crime scenes—you can use to practice the techniques from the book while?following along with the tutorials. It also includes several scripts, plug-ins, and actions so you can work more effectively. In addition, instructor's materials are available so you can use book in workshops and training seminars. Order this one-of-a-kind resource today! Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.
The digital revolution over the past several decades has advanced every facet of evidence detection, photography, optimization, and interpretation. Forensic scientists and practitioners have benefited tremendously from the move from film to digital. With proper procedures in place, digital images and casework capabilities have increased tremendously in both complexity and range due to a vast array of tools to enhance evidence and photography. Forensic Digital Image Processing: Optimization of Impression Evidence provides the forensic investigator with the tools and understanding to extract, optimize, and interpret the maximum evidence possible from crime scenes to increase identifications. The book begins by examining the emergence of forensic digital image processing, and the gradual improvement and acceptance of the science over the past four decades. Coverage includes looking at the issues of image integrity and authentication including forensic image optimization and the manipulation of images. Chapters explore techniques exploiting color theory, modes, and channels to optimize signal-to-noise ratio in images. One of the greatest assets of digital image technology is the ability to combine multiple images of the same subject to create a final, blended image: one that displays the desired evidence and is especially useful for fingerprint or footwear impression. Later chapters demonstrate image subtraction, focus stacking, and high dynamic range, utilizing images in optimum focus and with substrate interference diminished or removed entirely. The authors look at fast Fourier transform as an optimal tool for noise removal, addressing basic theory and diagnosis of the noise signatures. The book discusses the history of digital imaging techniques and their treatment within the court system. Forensic Digital Image Processing: Optimization of Impression Evidence serves as an invaluable resource and tool for practicing professionals–as well as those new to the field—to look at best practices, the latest technology, and advances in utilizing the increasing array of tools of the trade.
Photographic imagery has come a long way from the pinhole cameras of the nineteenth century. Digital imagery, and its applications, develops in tandem with contemporary society’s sophisticated literacy of this subtle medium. This book examines the ways in which digital images have become ever more ubiquitous as legal and medical evidence, just as they have become our primary source of news and have replaced paper-based financial documentation. Crucially, the contributions also analyze the very profound problems which have arisen alongside the digital image, issues of veracity and progeny that demand systematic and detailed response: It looks real, but is it? What camera captured it? Has it been doctored or subtly altered? Attempting to provide answers to these slippery issues, the book covers how digital images are created, processed and stored before moving on to set out the latest techniques for forensically examining images, and finally addressing practical issues such as courtroom admissibility. In an environment where even novice users can alter digital media, this authoritative publication will do much so stabilize public trust in these real, yet vastly flexible, images of the world around us.
Imaging for Forensics and Security: From Theory to Practice provides a detailed analysis of new imaging and pattern recognition techniques for the understanding and deployment of biometrics and forensic techniques as practical solutions to increase security. It contains a collection of the recent advances in the technology ranging from theory, design, and implementation to performance evaluation of biometric and forensic systems. This book also contains new methods such as the multiscale approach, directional filter bank, and wavelet maxima for the development of practical solutions to biometric problems. The book introduces a new forensic system based on shoeprint imagery with advanced techniques for use in forensics applications. It also presents the concept of protecting the originality of biometric images stored in databases against intentional and unintentional attacks and fraud detection data in order to further increase the security.
