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Forensic Imaging

Forensic Imaging analyst examining evidence

The forensic imaging section of the laboratory includes two primary disciplines. Photography is responsible for documenting evidence, crime scenes, and autopsies, as well as creating courtroom displays, providing training, and supporting web content. Audio, Video, and Image Analysis focuses on the scientific examination, comparison, and evaluation of audio, video, and images for use in legal proceedings.

Photography
A forensic photographer documenting clothing.Documentation of evidence is important in many aspects of a case and can range from simply recording the condition of evidence to enhancing details that may not be discernible to the human eye. General evidence documentation is performed to save a visual record of the evidence. The evidence is placed on a seamless background, evenly lit, and then photographed both front and back. Some items also require close-up photographs to show details of the evidence that may be important to the analysis.

Various methods are often used to aid in the search for evidence. To photograph these types of evidence, special techniques are used. Fluorescence from the alternate light source is documented using a filter over the lens to block the excitation energy or color of the light source. This ensures that only the fluorescent reaction is recorded.

Bluestar, a reagent that is used to search for blood, produces a chemiluminescent or glowing reaction that is recorded in total darkness. This type of documentation typically requires long exposure times and high-sensitivity camera systems.

Visible and infrared documentation of a bullet hole.Since Gunshot Residue, or GSR, is often difficult to see, especially on dark clothing, it is documented using Infrared radiation. This occurs because GSR absorbs infrared radiation, whereas fibers, especially those made from natural materials, tend to reflect it. In the resulting photographs, the GSR appears dark while the clothing appears lighter, making it easier to visualize gunshot residue patterns.

Documentation of impression evidence requires that photographs be taken in several stages of the analysis. First, the impression is photographed using appropriate lighting techniques to enhance detail. Then, the item suspected of making the impression, often a shoe or tire, is photographed. These photographs will be printed 1:1, or actual size, and can be used by an analyst to make comparisons. Overlays can also be made of these items by printing the images on clear transparent material. The overlay allows analysts to compare impressions by placing one on top of the other.

Audio, Video, and Image Analysis

As the use of video cameras becomes increasingly widespread, more incidents are being captured on video. Due to the complexities inherent in video evidence, the footage must be analyzed by trained professionals. Video may appear straightforward, but factors such as compression, lighting, perspective, and motion can easily distort what is visible, making untrained interpretation unreliable. Our analysts use specialized tools, follow strict forensic protocols, and understand the technical limits of digital video, ensuring that every conclusion is accurate, defensible, and suitable for investigative or legal use.

Our capabilities include:

  • Enhancement of audio recordings, reducing background noise, and making speech and important sounds easier to distinguish.
  • Video enhancement to improve clarity, reduce noise, and highlight key visual details that support the identification of suspects, vehicles, and other important elements.
  • Timeline creation to organize audio, video, images, or other data into a single chronologically ordered video.  
  • Photogrammetry analysis to extract dimensional information from images, allowing us to estimate subject height, vehicle speed, and reconstruct events captured on video.
  • Comparative analysis of questioned images alongside known or unknown objects to determine whether they depict the same item or individual.
  • Authentication exams to verify the integrity of video and image files by analyzing metadata, file structure, and visual content for signs of manipulation or tampering.

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