Video/Imaging Technology and 

Analysis (VITAL)

Subcommittee

Christina Malone, Executive Secretary

IAI Conference, San Antonio, TX

July 31, 2018
Overview

• Brief History

• How did we get here?

• What happened to the SWGs? (SWGIT, SWGDE)?

• What is different about OSAC?

• Where do I go for best practices and standards today?

• VITAL Updates

• Current members

• Document status

2
A Timeline of Change

SWGIT

SWGDE

OSAC

NAS

NCFS

SWGIT ceases

SWGDE continues

NCFS final 

meeting

PCAST

3
SWGIT and SWGDE

• Committees

• Joint Meeting 

• Collaboration Documents

4
Change Happens: 

National Academy of 

Sciences Report (2009)

“The efforts of these groups are 

laudable. However, . . . it is not clear 

how [they] interact or the extent to 

which they share requirements, 

standards, or policies. Thus, there is 

a need for more consistent and 

harmonized requirements.” (p.16)

5
Change Happens: 

National Academy of Sciences 

Report (2009)

• SWG Chairs Meetings to improve the process

• Several ideas presented to support and improve 

the SWGs

• Thought to have a “Mother SWG”

• Centralized entity for all forensic science 

information

6
Change Continues: 

National Commission on 

Forensic Science (2013)

7

• Established to enhance the practice and improve 

reliability of forensic science and promote scientific 

validity, reduce fragmentation, and improve federal 

coordination of forensic science

Image retrieved from: https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/national-commission-forensic-science 
Change Continues: 

SWGs and OSAC

• SWGs support and funding cut

• Torch was passed to the OSAC

• Some SWGs continued with other funding mechanisms

8

OSAC

SWGIT ceases

SWGDE continues
OSAC building on work of the SWGs

• Formal standards 

• More resources 

• Coordination among 

disciplines

• Broader basis for input 

and review 

• More powerful voice in 

making 

recommendations

• Better enforceability 9

SWGIT • SWGIT

SWGDE • SWGDE

Other

• LEVA

Other

Other
OSAC Process

• OSAC more robust lengthy process

• Variety of input and comment points (public, legal, HF, QA, 

research, statistics) and distribution of membership

• Collaboration across disciplines

• Centered on strengthening Forensic Science

• Encouraged to go to Standards Development Organization 

(SDO)

• Benefit: Unified consensus-based standard for widespread 

adoption

10
What Does This Mean to You and 

Members of the IAI?

• Who do I follow for standards and best practices?

• They appear to operate in the same space? (Video Analysis, 

Imaging Analysis, Forensic Photography)

11

OSAC

SWGDE

ASTM

SWGIT

Video

Imaging

Photography
What standards and best practices

should I follow?

• Follow agency specific needs and policies

• SWGIT

• Use as a solid reference until they are retired.

• SWGDE

• New documents pertaining to Photo/Video/Image Analysis and revisions of SWGIT 

guidelines (which will become SWGDE documents)

• Narrow Focus practices -Can address changes in technology more quickly (white papers, 

etc)

• Address procedures for forensic science discipline

• OSAC

• More robust documents/standards- forensic community wide consensus based 

standards

• Address strengthening forensic science discipline with recommended research.

• Wide focus

• ASTM – vetted standard guides/practice for Digital and Multimedia 12
Update 2018

Video/Imaging Technology and 

Analysis (VITAL)

Subcommittee
Discipline Description

The OSAC Subcommittee on Video/Imaging 

Technology and Analysis (VITAL)

focuses on standards and guidelines related 

to the application of methods and 

technologies to 

analyze information related to forensic 

imagery from a variety of systems. 

This encompasses aspects of capture, 

storage, processing, archiving, quality 

assurance and training. 

14
Video/Imaging Technology 

and Analysis (VITAL)

Major areas of interest include: 

• Photography - forensic photographic 

acquisition and documentation 

• Image Analysis - examine, evaluate, and 

render an opinion pertaining to an image 

and/or image-related data

• Video Analysis - the acquisition, 

examination and evaluation pertaining to a 

video and/or video-related data for 

rendering an opinion. 

15
16

Imaging Technology

is embedded across all forensic disciplines

Used for Documentation 

and

Analysis
OSAC VITAL Members and Guests

17
Subcommittee Leadership

18

• Chair

• Julie Carnes

• Vice Chair

• William Trenkle

• Exectutive Secretary

• Christina Malone

• Photography Task Group

• Keith Mancini, Chair

• Video Analysis Task Group

• Jim Hoerricks, Chair

• Image Analysis Task Group

• Christina Malone, Chair
Subcommittee Members and Affiliates

19

First Name Last Name Role Organization Task Group Term End

Mike Baker Member Sacramento Police Department Video Analysis 2020

Melody Buba Member FBI Video Analysis 2019

Julie Carnes Member Target Video Analysis 2020

Wendy Dinova-Wimmer Member Adobe Image Analysis 2018

Catalin Grigoras Affiliate University of Colorado Video Analysis 2020

Paul Hartzell Affiliate Hennepin County Attorneys Office Video Analysis n/a

Jim (Kenneth) Hoerricks Member Amped Software, Inc. Video Analysis 2020

Christopher Iber Member FBI Image Analysis 2018

Carl Kriigel Affiliate Defense Forensic Science Center Image Analysis n/a

Douglas Lacey Affiliate BEK TEK LLC Video Analysis n/a

Christina Malone Member Defense Forensic Science Center Image Analysis 2020

Keith Mancini Member Westcherster County Forensic Lab Photography 2018

Aaron Matson Member Wisconsin State Crime Lab Photography 2020

Kimberly Meline Member FBI Image Analysis 2018

Amanda Noxon Affiliate Michigan State Polic Image Analysis 2018

Ruth Philips Affiliate Metropolitan Police Service Video Analysis n/a

Margaret Pinson Affiliate US Departement of Commerce Video Analysis n/a

Matthew Steiner Affiliate New York Police Department Photography n/a

Dorothy Stout Affiliate Resolution Video, Inc. Video Analysis n/a

Rand Swartz Member District IV Medical Examiner Photography 2019

Andrew Taravella Affiliate Houston Police Photography n/a

Alice Thomas Affiliate US Secret Service Video Analysis n/a

William Trenkle Member US Departement of Agriculture Image Analysis 2019

John Twomey Member US Secret Service Photography 2020

Jesus Valenzuela Member Seattle Police Department Video Analysis 2020

Ernie Van der Leest Affiliate Third Chair Digital Forensics Video Analysis n/a

Robert Young Member City of Mesa Photography 2020
VITAL Summary of Priority Actions

Task Group Working Title of Document

Photography • Standard Guide for Latent Print Evidence Imaging 

Resolution

• Training Guidelines for Video Analysis, Image Analysis and 

Photography

• Crime Scene Photography

Image Analysis • Guidelines for the Forensic Use of Photogrammetry

• Standard Guide for Image Authentication

Video Analysis • Guidelines for Data Retrieval from Digital Video Recorders 

(DVR)

• Guidelines for Video Analysis

20
VITAL Summary of Priority 

Collaborations

21

• OSAC Digital Evidence Subcommittee collaboration on Testing 

Tools

• OSAC Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Subcommittee collaboration 

on Photography

• OSAC Fire Debris and Explosives Subcommittee collaboration 

imaging/photography

• OSAC Forensic Document Examination collaboration on image 

capture

• OSAC wide collaboration on Source Conclusions

• OSAC wide collaboration on Training/Education

• OSAC wide collaboration on ACE methodology

• SWGDE collaboration on joint projects – video, imaging, and 

photography
Standards/Guidelines 

Development

Task Group Updates

22
Photography Task Group

1. Training Guidelines for Video Analysis, Image 

Analysis and Photography

2. Standard Guide for Latent Print Evidence Imaging 

Resolution

3. Crime Scene Photography

23
Training Guidelines for Video 

Analysis, Image Analysis and 

Photography

• Scope:

o This document recommends topics and guidelines for training within the 

disciplines of video analysis, image analysis and photography as a supplement 

to the "Standard Practice for Forensic Scientist Practitioner Training, Continuing 

Education and Professional Development Programs.”

• Objective/rationale: 

o This document will provide guidelines and recommendations to assist 

organizations in designing a training program for forensic video analysts, image 

analysts, and photographers to ensure competency in the completion of 

forensic tasks and analyses.

Task Group Name: Photography

Task Group Chair Name: Keith Mancini

Task Group Chair Contact Information: 

kam8@westchestergov.com 

Date of Last Task Group Meeting Update: 18JUN18

24
Training Guidelines for Video 

Analysis, Image Analysis and 

Photography

Key Components of Standard: 

• Job Categories

• Training Topics

Current Status:

• Revised based on feedback from Legal Resource Committee and 

Quality Infrastructure Committee

• Has been approved within VITAL, currently at DMSAC

25
Standard Guide for Latent Print 

Evidence Imaging Resolution

• Scope: 

o The scope of this document is to provide recommendations on the 

resolving power standards that enables recording of level 3 details of 

latent print evidence that are suitable for comparison purposes using 

a digital camera, a flatbed scanner, or other image capture device. These recommendations take into consideration the minimum 

resolution requirements for utilizing the photographs for comparison.

• Objective/rationale:

o The purpose of this document is to describe a procedure to ensure 

that a digital imaging system (camera/scanner) can capture a latent 

print image at an achievable resolution that enables recording of 

level 3 details.

Task Group Name: Photography

Task Group Chair Name: Keith Mancini

Task Group Chair Contact Information: 

kam8@westchestergov.com

Date of Last Task Group Meeting Update: 18JUN18

26
Standard Guide for Latent Print 

Evidence Imaging Resolution

Key Components of Standard: 

• Summary of Practice

• Significant and Use

• Recommended Photographic Equipment

• Recommended Protocol for Verifying the Resolving Power of Digital 

Cameras Used to Photograph Latent Print Evidence

• Recommended Protocol for Verifying the Resolving Power of Scanners 

Used to Scan Latent Print Evidence

Current Status:

• Revised based on feedback from Legal Resource Committee and Quality 

Infrastructure Committee

• Has been approved within VITAL, currently at DMSAC 27
Image Analysis Task Group

1. Guidelines for the Forensic Use of Photogrammetry

2. Standards for Image Authentication

28

http://www.forensicvideoservices.co.uk/
Guidelines for the Forensic Use of 

Photogrammetry 

• Scope: 

o Photogrammetry involves the process of obtaining dimensional 

information as regards objects and people depicted in imagery. 

o For forensic purposes, photogrammetry provides information including, 

but not limited to, the heights of individuals, velocity of vehicles, 

and/or lengths of objects.

• Objective/rationale:

o Document provides personnel with guidelines regarding appropriate 

practices when performing photogrammetric examinations for forensic 

purposes. 

Task Group Name: Image Analysis

Task Group Chair Name: Christina Malone

Task Group Chair Contact Information: 

christina.a.malone.civ@mail.mil

Date of Last Task Group Meeting Update: 18JUN18

29
Guidelines for the Forensic Use of 

Photogrammetry 

Key Components of Standard: 

• Provide personnel with recommendations regarding appropriate 

practices when performing photogrammetric examinations as a part of 

forensic analysis. 

• Provides basic information, including the evidentiary value of 

photogrammetric examinations, common questions asked of forensic 

photogrammetry, and ways to report results including the reporting of 

estimation of uncertainty and mitigation of same. 

• Multiple methodologies for photogrammetric examinations, and thus, 

does not particularly espouse any one methodology. 

Current Status:

• Received feedback from Legal Resource Committee and Quality 

Infrastructure Committee

• Revision in progress

30
Standard Guide for Image 

Authentication

• Scope: 

o Image Authentication is a subtask of Image Analysis. This document 

addresses issues specific to Image Authentication. 

o Questions involved in authentication include issues of image 

manipulation, image creation, and consistency with prior 

knowledge about the circumstances depicted.

• Objective/rationale: 

o This document will provide personnel with guidance regarding 

practices appropriate when performing image authentication as part 

of image analysis.

Task Group Name: Imaging Analysis

Task Group Chair Name: Christina Malone

Task Group Chair Contact Information: 

christina.a.malone.civ@mail.mil

Date of Last Task Group Meeting: 18JUN18

31
Standard Guide for Image 

Authentication

Key Components of Standard:

• Provenance of the image

• Metadata Analysis

• Photo Response Non-Uniformity (PRNU)

• Detection of Manipulation

• Detection of Image Creation

• Detection of Staging

• Continuity Issues

• Image Processing

Current Status:

• Draft complete

• Will be sent to Legal Resource Committee, Quality Infrastructure 

Committee and Human Factors Committee

32
Video Analysis Task Group

1. Guidelines for Data Retrieval from Digital Video Recorders 

(DVR)

2. Guidelines for Video Analysis

33

www.lenvica.com www.businessinsider.com
Guidelines for Data Retrieval from 

Digital Video Recorders (DVR)

• Scope:

o This document is intended to provide procedures for the collection of data 

from digital video recorders (DVRs) that ensure playback while maintaining 

best evidence.

• Objective/rationale:

o This document will provide the best methods for the retrieval of video/audio 

data evidence and any associated metadata. 

o These best practices, guidelines and recommendations are intended to 

provide responding law enforcement personnel guidance in securing and 

collecting data from DCCTV systems. 

o This will ensure that best methods are utilized to retrieve the recorded data 

and maintain its integrity. 

Task Group Name: Video Analysis

Task Group Chair Name: Jim Hoerricks

Task Group Chair Contact Information: osac@hoerricks.com

Date of Last Task Group Action: 18JUN18

34
Guidelines for Video Analysis

• Scope:

o This document is intended to provides a structured workflow for 

practitioners processing and analyzing digital video evidence.

• Objective/rationale:

o This document will provide the best methods for the scientific 

examination or evaluation of video.

o These best practices, guidelines and recommendations are intended 

to provide analyst with procedures to work with video evidence. 

Task Group Name: Video Analysis

Task Group Chair Name: Jim Hoerricks

Task Group Chair Contact Information: osac@hoerricks.com

Date of Last Task Group Action: 18JUN18

35
Guidelines for Video Analysis

Key Components of Standard: 

• Categories of a Forensic Workflow

• Evidence Documentation

• Processing

• Restoration

• Image Clarification

• Output

• Reporting 

• Archiving

Current Status:

• Revision within task group 36
How Can You Participate?

• The VITAL subcommittee invites participation on task group work

• Complete the OSAC membership application form found 

at: https://www.nist.gov/forensics/osac-application.cfm

• Please be sure to specify your interest in the Video & Imaging 

Technology and Analysis Subcommittee (VITAL)

• Subcommittee can reach out to activate applicant names to 

become affiliates on task group work

• Next in-person meeting: 

10-14 December, 2018 – Phoenix, AZ

37
Questions?

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