I frequently read Jim Hoerrick’s excellent blog, Forensic Photoshop. In his October 12 post, he brought up the issue of certification, and it prompted me to comment on that topic here.
One of Jim’s points is that some certifications are not based on real world issues, and the correct test answers may be wrong when applied to the real world. Jim also mentioned that what he’s heard related to the certifications of the International Association for Identification (IAI) is positive.
As the Chair of the Forensic Photography and Imaging Certification Board for the IAI, I thought it would be important to discuss a bit of our process. We have two parts to our testing for certification – a written test and a practical test.
The written test is based on two texts, that is intended to show if the applicant has the general knowledge of photography and imaging to meet the standard set by the IAI for certification. Our board reviews the texts and the questions every year to attempt to keep the test relevant with current technology and appropriate for the topic of forensic photography and imaging.
The practical test currently includes ten assignments, and requires that the applicant competently complete each of the assignments to pass. These assignments are as closely molded to real world assignments as we can make them. We are currently reviewing the assignments and the wording of them so that they continue to represent real world assignments, and so that the assignments are as clear and explicit as possible.
Our board is always looking for input and I invite anyone with input to contact me at any time.
G
Earlier this year I received a case in which I was asked to “enhance the video” to determine who fired first in a shootout in a strip mall. There was no sound recorded, and there were three camera views recorded at this strip mall. Two views were of the exterior and showed one of the shooters fairly clearly, but didn’t have enough resolution to show much detail of the other. The third view was of the interior of one of the businesses in the strip mall.
Enhancing the video wouldn’t provide the detail to determine who shot first, but synchronizing the three videos did.
The video of the interior of the business showed several people sitting near the window. In one frame they are sitting, in the next they are jumping away from the window and seeking cover. By synchronizing this video with those from the exterior, one can see a movement consistent with recoil in the frame prior to to the people jumping.
In this case, it wasn’t enhancement that was needed, but synchronization of multiple videos.
G
I thought that the most appropriate first blog would be an introduction to who I am, and what my plans are for this blog. Something short and to the point.
I’m George Reis and I am the owner of Imaging Forensics, Inc. providing consulting services in forensic video analysis, forensic image analysis, and forensic photography to attorneys, police agencies, and insurance companies. I also provide training in these fields, primarily to law enforcement personnel.
What’s my plan? I hope to post weekly on issues relating my work – which means, image analysis, image authentication, forensic photography, expert witness work, the training I provide, etc. Tips and techniques that I find helpful in this work will likely be included as well. I’ll try to be brief and keep things interesting.
Since I’m new at this, I’d appreciate your input on what you’d like to see here. Please post a comment, or drop me an e-mail.
G
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