October 1999 Volume 1 Number
3
Definitions
and Guidelines for the
Use of Imaging Technologies in the Criminal Justice System
Scientific Working Group
on Imaging Technologies(SWGIT)
(formerly the Technical Working Group on
Imaging Technologies [TWGIT])
(Version 2.1
June 8, 1999)
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Instructions
for
Submitting Comments
If you wish to submit comments
to the Scientific Working Group on Imaging Technologies (SWGIT),
you may do so via E-mail or the postal system.
When submitting your comments,
include the following:
1. Your name;
2. Your job title;
3. Name and address of your agency;
4. Telephone number; and
5. E-mail address.
When commenting on specific
parts or sections of the draft guidelines, please indicate the
section title to which you are referring.
If replying via E-mail, include
the previously requested information (15, above) in the
body of your E-mail and enter "SWGIT Guidelines Review"
as your subject line. You may include your comments in the body
of your E-mail or as an attachment in either WordPerfect or Microsoft
Word.
Forward your comments to
both of the following addresses: ddavies@leo.gov
and rvorderb@leo.gov.
If replying via the postal
system, please include the previously requested information (15,
above) in a cover letter, followed by your comments, and forward
them to the following address:
Richard W. Vorder Bruegge
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Laboratory Division Room 3449
935 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington DC 20535
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Background
Although digital imaging
technologies have been used in a variety of scientific fields
for decades, their application in the criminal justice system
has been relatively recent. Consequently, there has been a need
to gather and disseminate accurate information regarding the
proper application of imaging technologies in the criminal justice
system.
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Mission
Statement
The mission of the Scientific
Working Group on Imaging Technologies (SWGIT) is to facilitate
the integration of imaging technologies and systems in the criminal
justice system by providing definitions and recommendations for
the capture, storage, processing, analysis, transmission, and
output of images.
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Purpose
of This Document
This document is intended
to serve two purposes:
1. Provide definitions for
use by personnel in the criminal justice system when discussing
imaging and imaging technologies.
2. Provide preliminary general
guidelines for use by personnel in the criminal justice system
as they develop specific standard operating procedures and quality
assurance and training, qualifications, and proficiency programs
for their agencies.
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Part
I: Definitions
Definitions Pertaining to Images
Image (Webster's New World
Dictionary, Third College Edition): An imitation or representation of a person
or thing, drawn, painted, photographed, etc.
Imaging Technologies: Any systems and/or methods used
to capture, store, process, analyze, transmit, or produce an
image. Such systems include but are not limited to film, electronic
sensors, cameras, video devices, scanners, printers, computers,
etc.
Archive Image: Either the primary or original image
stored on media suitable for long-term storage.
Copy Image: A reproduction of information contained
in a primary or original image.
Digital Image: An image that is stored in numerical
form.
Duplicate Image: An accurate and complete replica
of an original image, irrespective of media.
Primary Image: Refers to the first instance in
which an image is recorded onto any media that is a separate,
identifiable object or objects. Examples include a digital image
recorded on a flash card or a digital image downloaded from the
Internet.
Original Image: An accurate and complete replica
of the primary image, irrespective of media. For film and analog
video, the primary image is the original image.
Processed Image: An output image (see Image Processing).
Working Image: Any image subjected to processing.
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Other
Definitions
Archiving: Long-term storage of an image.
Artifact: Any information not present in the
primary or original image inadvertently introduced by image processing.
Capture: The process of recording an image.
Capture Device: A device used in the recording of
an image.
Compression: The process of reducing the size
of a data file.
Digital Image File: A record that includes image data
and related data objects.
File Format: The structure by which data is organized
in a file.
Image Analysis: The extraction of information from
an image beyond that which is readily apparent through visual
examination.
Image Enhancement: Any process intended to improve
the visual appearance of an image.
Image Output: The means by which an image is presented
for examination or observation.
Image Processing: Any activity which transforms an
input image into an output image.
Image Processing Log: A record of the steps used in the
processing of an image.
Image Transmission: The act of moving images from one
location to another.
Image Verification: A process by which personnel identify
an image as being an accurate representation.
Intermediate Storage: Any media or device on which an
image is temporarily stored for transfer to permanent or archival
storage.
Legacy File Management: A methodology for preserving data
and images so that they are retrievable as technology changes.
Lossless Compression: Compression in which no image data
is lost and the image can be retrieved in its original form.
Lossy Compression: Compression in which image data
is lost and the image cannot be retrieved in its original form.
Native File Format: The file format of the primary image.
Source Code: The list of instructions written
in a standard programming language used to construct a computer
program. This information is not usually provided absent a court
order or prior contractual agreement.
Storage: The act of preserving an image.
Storage Media: Any object on which an image is
preserved.
Part
II: Guidelines
Part III: Standard Operating Procedures
Part IV: Quality Assurance
Part V: Training, Qualifications,
and Proficiency
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Information referenced
to this document can be identified as Version 2.1 ¾
June 8, 1999.
FORENSIC SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONS OCTOBER 1999 VOLUME 1 NUMBER 3 |