FORENSIC VIDEO ENHANCEMENT
Primeau Forensics offers video enhancement services to litigators and law enforcement agencies. We perform a preliminary analysis to ensure our clients’ expectations are met. Once we are confident we can perform enhancement services effectively, we enter a full investigation to create demonstrative video exhibits. Our enhanced video exhibits clarify the events so that the trier of fact can see the events as they occurred better. We can also apply demonstrative identification to the video exhibits which includes motion based highlighting or circling, as well as speed reduction.
WHAT IS VIDEO ENHANCEMENT?
Forensic video enhancement is the process of clarifying a video recording using non-destructive techniques in order to preserve the integrity of the pixel quality. We enhance events as they occurred so that the trier of fact can see more clearly. The success of the forensic video enhancement hinges on application of enhancement techniques and overall quality of the original video recording (frame rate, video resolution, bit rate). For example, we may enhance a license plate pulled from a video recording.
IMAGE ENHANCEMENT
We also offer image enhancement services to our clients. Image enhancement, or image clarification, is any process intended to improve the visual appearance of an image (“6.1 ASTM E2825-19 Standard Guide for Forensic Digital Image Processing“). Images enhanced or clarified for courtroom use assist the trier of fact in making determinations about the subjects, objects or events contained within them. Images extracted from video recordings are also enhanced for courtroom use.
When we enhance images, we use the same methodology that we apply to video enhancement investigations. The goal of image enhancement is to clarify the image using non destructive techniques. This is important to preserve pixel quality and ultimately improve the clarity of the digital image.
VIDEO AND IMAGE ENHANCEMENT PROCESSES
Each investigation is unique, which means no two videos require the same enhancement process. Surveillance video enhancement, or CCTV video enhancement, is the most common type of investigation we perform. We also enhance law enforcement dash camera videos, body worn cameras, smart phone or mobile video recordings, and many more. We often provide audio and video enhancement simultaneously when recordings require voice enhancement.
- Scaling and Zoom (upscales video resolution)
- Sharpening
- Stabilize (reduce video shaking)
- Shadow and Highlight Adjustments (Exposure)
- Frame Averaging
- Speed Reduction
- Demonstrative highlighting & marking
The highest quality version of the evidence is the most important ingredient to the scientific process. This yields the highest success rate throughout the investigation. If the analog or digital video recording is re-compressed, the success of the enhancement is limited.
VIDEO ENHANCEMENT IN LITIGATION
We often provide expert witness testimony services to our clients once a video recording has been forensically clarified. Sometimes it is necessary for an expert to present the clarified video recording to the trier of fact so they can better understand our methodology.
Most courts that we have testified in as expert witnesses have video playback equipment. Some of the video equipment that the court provides may not be a high enough quality for the highest quality playback. Other courts like the federal court in Boston have more advanced systems where our work product is easier to view.
For example, older systems may not be bright enough for The trier of fact to preview from. We can provide other arrangements like projectors and high resolution TV’s. Often times when we provide testimony, we bring our enhancement software for presentation to the court. This gives me the ability to play the video quickly with features such as slow motion and frame by frame playback. To learn more tips about presenting video evidence for courtroom use, click HERE.
