Crying “Fake News!” Does Not Make It True
It is increasingly common for the prosecution to rely upon image-based evidence in criminal prosecutions. This evidence may take the form of videos derived from CCTV, smartphones, body worn cameras, and in-car cameras, as well as still images. Occasionally, the defence will also tender image-based evidence as part of their case. What happens...
Determining Vehicle Speed from a Video Recording
CCTV video is typically used to provide information about what occurred during a noted event and to assist in identifying people, vehicles, objects, etc. A less common but equally helpful use of CCTV video is to determine the speed of vehicles traveling through the field of view. This article summarizes the legal and...
Authentication Via Circumstantial Evidence: A Case for Social Media Images
Can a screenshot of a single image from a cell phone video recorded by an unknown person located on an unidentified Facebook account where the video was deleted shortly after uploading be authenticated for use at trial? That was the question a trial court in Maryland (USA) and the appeal court needed to...
Reminder – Request for your assistance in multi-national image-based evidence research survey
This request for assistance went out one month ago and while there has been a reasonably good response, many more participants are needed to provide sufficient data for analysis. Please respond to the appropriate survey if you have not already done so. And thanks to those who have responded! I am one of...
Request for your assistance in multinational image-based evidence research survey
I am one of five researchers from the UK, US, and Canada undertaking a new research project surveying investigators who use image-based evidence as part of their criminal investigation work (User Survey) AND also subject matter experts. If you are a LEVA CFVT or CFVA, you would qualify for the Subject Matter Expert...
Validating Forensic Tools, Output Images, and Other Data
Forensic video technicians and analysts utilize various hardware and software tools to acquire, interrogate, interpret, and present image-based evidence in the courtroom. When presenting their evidence in court, technicians and analysts must be able to justify their reliance upon their chosen tools and must be able to articulate why the court should have...
International Criminal Court Delays Judgment in Al Hassan Case
The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands was scheduled to deliver its judgement in the case of Prosecutor v. Al Hassan on January 18, 2024. From an image-based evidence perspective, this case is significant because the prosecution relied upon advanced visual representations of key location evidence as part of its case...
Advanced Visual Representations in International Criminal Prosecutions
The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands will soon deliver its judgement in the case of Prosecutor v. Al Hassan. From an image-based evidence perspective, this case is significant because the prosecution relied upon advanced visual representations of key location evidence as part of its case and presented the testimony of...
The Search for the Truth in Open Source Evidence: Challenges, Limitations, and Opportunities
Open source image-based evidence is a key source of potentially valuable evidence in international and national criminal investigations and prosecutions. However, there are significant challenges and limitations involved in the use of this free-range evidence. I spoke about the use of open source image-based evidence at a conference hosted by the Inner Temple...
Artificial Intelligence and Images: Investigative Tool or Evidence?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is in the news almost daily. It is being used in many contexts, some for salutary purposes, and some for more insidious reasons. When considering the intersection of AI and image-based evidence in criminal investigations and prosecutions, it is important to draw a distinction between the use of AI for...