Priority Action Report

Video/Imaging Technology and Analysis (VITAL)

Subcommittee

Digital and Multimedia SAC

Carl Kriigel Subcommittee Chair

01 FEB 2016
Subcommittee Leadership

Position Name Organization Term Email

Chair Carl Kriigel Defense

Forensic Science 

Center

3 

years

Carl.Kriigel@gmail.co

m

Vice Chair William Trenkle Dept of Health

and Human 

Services

2 

years

William.Trenkle@hhs.

gov

Executive 

Secretary

Christina Malone Defense 

Forensic Science 

Center

3 

years

Christina.a.Malone.civ

@mail.mil

2
Subcommittee Members

# Name Organization Term Email

1 Alice Thomas U.S. Secret Service 3 alice.thomas@usss.dhs.gov

2 Julie Carnes Target 4 Julie.carnes@target.com

3 Melody Buba FBI 2 Melody.Buba@ic.fbi.gov

4 Kimberly Meline FBI 4 Kimberly.meline@ic.fbi.gov

5 David Witzke Foray Technologies 2 dlwitzke@foray.com

6 David Allen NIST 3 dwallen@nist.gov

7 Christopher Iber FBI 4 Christopher.iber@ic.fbi.gov

8 Robert Sanders Wisconsin State Crime Lab 2 sandersrc@doj.state.wi.us

9 Douglas Lacey BEK TEK LLC 2 doug@bektekllc.com

10 Wendy Dinova-Wimmer 2visualize, Inc. 4 wadw@visualizeinc.com

11 Kenneth James Hoerricks Los Angeles Police Dept 3 n2288@lapd.lacity.org

12 Robert Young City of Mesa, AZ 3 Robert.young@mesaaz.gov

13 Craig Thrane CT Image Analysis 2 mjobigband@aol.com

14

15

16

17 3
Discipline Description

The OSAC Subcommittee on 

Video/Imaging Technology and Analysis 

(VITAL) (1/2)

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. 

4
Discipline Description

The OSAC Subcommittee on Video/Imaging 

Technology and Analysis (VITAL) (2/2)

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. 

5
6

Imaging Technology

is embedded across all forensic disciplines

Used for Documentation 

and

Analysis
Summary of Standards/Guidelines 

Priority Actions

Priority Working Title of Document

Imaging Task Group #1 Guidelines for the Forensic Use of Photogrammetry 

Imaging Task Group #2 Standards for Image Authentication

Video Task Group #1 Best Practices for Data Retrieval from Digital Video Recorders 

(DVR)

Photography Task Group 

#1

Latent Print Evidence Photography

VITAL Subcommittee #1 Training Guidelines for Video Analysis, Image Analysis and 

Photography

7
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 1 Document

Document Title: Guidelines for the Forensic Use of Photogrammetry 

Scope: Photogrammetry involves the process of obtaining dimensional 

information as regards objects and people depicted in imagery. 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: Document provides personnel with guidelines 

regarding appropriate practices when performing photogrammetric 

examinations for forensic purposes. 

Task Group Name: Image Analysis

Task Group Chair Name: Chris Iber

Task Group Chair Contact Information: 

Christopher.iber@ic.fbi.gov

Date of Last Task Group Meeting: 29JAN16

8
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 1 Document

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. 

9

Priority 1: Guidelines for the Forensic Use of Photogrammetry 
Task Group/Subcommittee Action 

Plan

Planned Actions

OSAC Process 

Stage (e.g., 

SDO 100) 

Assignee Estimated

Completion Date

SAC Approval SD0-100 Iber 1MAR2016

Forward to SDO SD0-300 Iber 1MAY2016

Priority 1: Guidelines for the Forensic Use of Photogrammetry 

10
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 2 Document

Document Title: Standards for Image Authentication

Scope: Image Authentication is a subtask of Image Analysis. This document addresses 

issues specific to Image Authentication. Questions involved in authentication include 

issues of image manipulation, image creation, and consistency with prior knowledge 

about the circumstances depicted.

Objective/rationale: This document will provide personnel with guidance regarding 

practices appropriate when performing image authentication as part of image analysis

Issues/Concerns/Safety: Consideration will include vicarious trauma from evaluation 

of images that depict disturbing subject matter.

Task Group Name: Imaging Analysis

Task Group Chair Name: Chris Iber

Task Group Chair Contact Information: 

Christopher.iber@ic.fbi.gov

Date of Last Task Group Meeting: 29JAN2016

11
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 2 Document

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

12

Priority 2: Standards for Image Authentication 
Task Group/Subcommittee Action 

Plan

Planned Actions

OSAC Process 

Stage (e.g., 

SDO 100) 

Assignee Estimated

Completion Date

SAC Approval SDO-100 Iber 1 MAR 2016

Refine the document SD0-200 Iber 1 AUG 2016

Priority 2: Standards for Image Authentication 

13
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 3 Document

Document Title: Best Practices for Data Retrieval from Digital Video 

Recorders (DVR)

Scope: 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: This document will provide the best methods for the 

retrieval of video/audio data evidence and any associated metadata. These 

best practices, guidelines and recommendations are intended to provide 

responding law enforcement personnel guidance in securing and collecting 

data from DCCTV systems. 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: Julie Carnes

Task Group Chair Contact Information: 

Julie.carnes@target.com

Date of Last Task Group Meeting: 29JAN2016

14
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 3 Document

Key Components of Standard: 

• Recognizing DCCTV Evidence and its Nature

• Types of Digital Video Recording Systems

• DVR Recordings

• Steps to Take Upon Scene Arrival

• Assessing the Recording System for Output

15

Priority 3: Best Practices for Data Retrieval from Digital Video Recorders 
Task Group/Subcommittee Action 

Plan

Planned Actions

OSAC Process 

Stage (e.g., 

SDO 100) 

Assignee Estimated

Completion Date

SAC Approval SD0-100 Carnes 1MAR2016

Refine document SD0-200 Carnes 1MAY2016

Priority 3: Best Practices for Data Retrieval from Digital Video Recorders 

16
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 4 Document

Document Title: Latent Print Evidence Photography

Scope: The scope of this document is to provide recommendations on the best 

practices for properly trained and qualified personal to capture images of latent print 

evidence using a digital single lens reflex camera or a flatbed scanner that are suitable 

for comparison purposes. 

Objective/rationale: 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.

Issues/Concerns: These recommendations take into consideration the minimum 

resolution requirements for utilizing the photographs for comparison purposes and the 

current state of the development of digital imaging.

Task Group Name: Photography

Task Group Chair Name: Robert Sanders

Task Group Chair Contact Information: 

sandersrc@doj.state.wi.us

Date of Last Task Group Meeting: 29 JAN 2016

17
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 4 Document

Key Components of Standard: 

• Recommended Photographic Equipment

• Photographic Procedures

• Latent Print Photography Protocol

• Camera Resolution Calibration

• Lens Considerations

• Flatbed Scanners

18

Priority 4: Latent Print Evidence Photography
Task Group/Subcommittee Action 

Plan

Planned Actions

OSAC Process 

Stage (e.g., 

SDO 100) 

Assignee Estimated

Completion Date

SAC Approval SD0-100 Sanders 1MAR2016

Refine document SD0-200 Sanders 1AUG2016

Priority 4: Latent Print Evidence Photography

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Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 5 Document

Document Title: Training Guidelines for Video Analysis, Image 

Analysis and Photography

Scope: This document recommends topics and guidelines for training within 

the disciplines of video analysis, image analysis and photography.

Objective/rationale: 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.

Issues/Concerns: Training topics introduced in this document may not fit the 

needs of individual organizations when job specific duties are limited to a 

subset of those listed. Each organization should determine the minimum 

training guidelines for examinations performed.

Task Group Name: VITAL Subcommittee Task Groups

Task Group Chair Name: Carl Kriigel

Task Group Chair Contact Information: 

Carl.Kriigel@gmail.com

Date of Last Task Group Meeting: 29JAN2016

20
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 5 Document

Key Components of Standard: 

• Categories of Training

• Job Categories

• Training Sources

• Training Evaluation and Documentation

21

Priority 5: 

Training Guidelines for Video Analysis, Image Analysis and Photography
Task Group/Subcommittee Action 

Plan

Planned Actions

OSAC Process 

Stage (e.g., 

SDO 100) 

Assignee Estimated

Completion Date

SAC Approval SD0-100 Kriigel 1MAR2016

Refine Document SD0-200 Kriigel 1AUG2016

Priority 5: 

Training Guidelines for Video Analysis, Image Analysis and Photography

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Summary of Standards/Guidelines 

Priority Actions

Priority Working Title of Document

Imaging Task Group #1 Guidelines for the Forensic Use of Photogrammetry 

Imaging Task Group #2 Standards for Image Authentication

Video Task Group #1 Best Practices for Data Retrieval from Digital Video Recorders 

(DVR)

Photography Task Group 

#1

Latent Print Evidence Photography

VITAL Subcommittee #1 Training Guidelines for Video Analysis, Image Analysis and 

Photography

23
Standards/Guidelines Reviewed For 

Technical Merit

Title Developing 

Organization Status*

OSAC Process 

Stage (e.g., RA 

100)

Standard Guide for Forensic Digital Image 

Processing

ASTM SAC Approved RA-500

Guidelines for the Forensic Use of 

Photogrammetry 

SWGIT/SWGDE Evaluating SD0-100

Standards for Image Authentication SWGIT Evaluating SD0-100

Best Practices for Data Retrieval from 

Digital Video Recorders (DVR)

SWGIT Evaluating SD0-100

Latent Print Evidence Photography SWGIT Evaluating SD0-100

Training Guidelines for Video Analysis, 

Image Analysis and Photography

SWGIT/SWGDE Evaluating SD0-100

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Research Gaps Identified

Vehicle Comparison Study

 To date, research in photographic comparison has focused on 

human identification, particularly faces. 

 Image analysts are often requested to compare vehicles to 

determine whether a vehicle depicted in surveillance video or 

capture images is the same as a vehicle linked to a suspect, or 

alternatively, determine the Make, Model and Year of the 

questioned vehicle. 

 The study would determine the accuracy of examiners in making 

these types of comparisons/determinations, particularly at 

varying degrees of “Quality” within submitted imagery.

25
Research Gaps Identified

Software Validation Repository

 Accredited digital evidence laboratories (DELs) are required to 

validate software used for any purpose, including enhancement, 

processing, and analysis. 

 DELs spend significant amounts of time to test and validate 

software used in analysis, however, to date no effort has been 

made to standardize the process used for testing and validation. 

 Few DELs share lists of previously validated software or 

information related to their testing procedures. 

26
Research Gaps Identified

Factors Affecting Image Quality When Extracting a 

Still from Video

 Images extracted from video sources appear to 

differ in quality when the same video data is 

visualized on different computer systems using the 

same extraction technique as well as different 

extraction techniques. 

 Research is needed to determine if computer 

hardware is a factor affecting image quality when 

extracting images from video.

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Research Gaps Identified

Determination of the size of the smallest detail required 

for tire and footwear comparisons

 Only anecdotal evidence exists of the minimum 

resolution required when recording shoe and/or 

tire impressions and marks. 

 Without knowing the size of the smallest detail 

required for comparison, there is no way to verify 

if the current, arbitrary standards for recording 

such impressions are valid or if those standards 

can be used in OSAC documents.

 Research exists for latent prints, but not for 

tires/shoes.

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Additional Items of Interest

Future Work

• Video Analysis Evidence Handling Guidelines

• Training Document

• Photographic Comparisons document range of conclusions is being 

reviewed at DM and Pattern SAC level

VITAL Collaboration Activities

• American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS)

• International Association for Identification (IAI)

• Law Enforcement Video Association (LEVA)

• International Association of Forensic & Security Metrology (IAFSM)

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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

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Questions
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