Forensic Uses of Digital Imaging

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.John C. Russ is the author of 'Forensic Uses of Digital Imaging', published 2001 under ISBN 9780849309038 and ISBN 0849309034.