Guidelines
and Recommendations for Training in Imaging Technologies in the
Criminal Justice System
Scientific Working Group on Imaging Technologies (SWGIT)
Version 1.2, December 6, 2001
The consistent
and reliable use of silver-based, video, and digital imaging technologies
in the criminal justice system requires the competent and appropriate
training of personnel. The purpose of this document is to provide
guidelines and recommendations for such training.
It should be
recognized that some agencies may choose to provide training other
than what is recommended in this section. In such circumstances,
those agencies should demonstrate and document that the training
selected is adequate to meet their anticipated needs.
Introduction
Personnel in
the criminal justice system who work with images must be aware of
the capabilities and limitations of specific imaging technologies.
Those engaged in the production or the use of images should be aware
of the procedures commonly followed within the law enforcement community
and should strive to meet or exceed these recommendations. They
should also endeavor to maintain awareness of new developments.
In support of these goals, the following recommendations are offered
to personnel engaged in the production of images:
- Define and
employ quality assurance programs to ensure the implementation
of valid and reliable procedures for the task.
- Maintain
proficiency by pursuing continuing education courses in imaging
technology.
- Maintain
awareness of legal developments relating to the use of imaging
technologies in the criminal justice system.
Definitions
of Categories
Several categories
of imaging technology training relevant to the criminal justice
system as well as the categories of the system users who would benefit
from the training are identified and defined as follows:
Categories
of Training
- Awareness:
Training designed to provide the student with a general knowledge
of the major elements of a given imaging technology including
specific product capabilities
- Skills and
techniques: Training designed to provide the student with the
ability to competently use specific imaging equipment
- Knowledge
of processes and relationships: Training designed to provide the
student with an understanding of imaging technology and the ability
to apply that technology to various applications
- Court procedures:
witness testimony: Training designed to provide the student with
the ability to present reliable imaging technology-based testimony
in court
- Court procedures:
case preparation: Training designed to provide the student with
the ability to prepare and review accurate and reliable imaging
technology-based evidence
- Continuing
education: Training designed to provide the student with additional
and updated training in imaging technologies
- Specialized
applications: Training in specific disciplines or in specialized
areas
- Proficiency:
Proficiency training incorporates a number of components:
- Required
levels of skill and knowledge for a job category should be
identified by the agency. These levels should be driven by
the requirements of the specific tasks to be accomplished.
- A course
should be designed by the agency or its agent, to provide
the skills and information necessary for the agency's personnel
to attain competency in those skills
- If determined
to be necessary by the agency, a proficiency test should be
developed and administered to test these skills.
- Different
levels of proficiency tests may be developed depending on
the level of skill and experience of the personnel.
Categories
of Users
- Management:
Includes personnel who are responsible for setting agency policies
and/or making budget decisions
- Command/Supervision:
Includes personnel who supervise and/or direct personnel engaged
in the use of imaging technologies
- Law Enforcement
Officer: Includes personnel who use imaging technologies as a
minor component of their routine duties. If the person is routinely
involved in the basic photographic documentation of crime scenes,
then this person would fall into the crime scene technician category
- Crime Scene
Technician: Includes personnel for whom imaging is a major component
of their routine duties. Crime scene technicians are divided into
two categories. Level 1 technicians routinely perform only basic
photographic or videographic documentation of crime scenes. Level
2 technicians routinely perform forensic photographic techniques,
including specialized photography of impression evidence
- Criminalist/Examiner:
Includes personnel for whom imaging is a major component of their
routine duties. The personnel are not only responsible for the
acquisition of images as a part of their duties but may also be
responsible for the analysis of these images
- Photographer/Videographer/Specialist:
Includes personnel for whom imaging is the major component of
their routine duties
- Lawyer: Includes
prosecutors and defense attorneys
- Judge: Includes
personnel who are responsible for the acceptance or rejection
of imaging technology-based evidence in court proceedings
- Legal Assistant:
Includes personnel who are responsible for preparing materials
that will be offered in court proceedings
- Trainer:
Includes personnel who are responsible for providing instruction
to others in imaging technology-related areas
Recommended
Training Levels
Table
1 provides an assessment of the level of training necessary
for each category.
Topical Areas
for Focused Training
The following
section delineates specific topical areas in which user groups should
receive focused training to effectively fulfill their imaging technology-related
duties.
Managers,
Commanders/Supervisors, Lawyers, and Judges
(awareness and issues training)
- Status of
imaging technology
- Legal
issues
- Extent
of use and who are the users
- Industry
and market trends
- Description
of current technologies
- Strengths
and weaknesses of silver imaging
- Strengths
and weaknesses of digital imaging
- Strengths
and weaknesses of video imaging (analog and digital)
- Current
life cycle-cost comparisons and limitations
- Strategic
alternatives for the agency
- Determination
of imaging needs
- Sequence
of equipment/software acquisitions
- Actions
to avoid or lessons learned
- References/information
sources
Legal Assistants
(basic levels of skill for recording images)
- Working knowledge
of the basic fundamentals of photography and/or videography
- Working knowledge
of the capabilities and limitations of equipment
- Selection
and operation of the appropriate cameras (digital, video, or film)
and accessories
- Preparation
of court presentations including images
Law Enforcement
Officers (first responder)
- Operation
of cameras with an understanding of the capabilities and limitations
of the equipment assigned as a part of their routine duties
- Selection,
framing, and composition of appropriate images
- Procedures
for recording quality images in various situations
- Proper collection
and preservation of the recording media
- Creation
and maintenance of the chain of custody
- Demonstration
of competency
- Demonstration
of proficiency through testing
Crime Scene
Technicians Level 1
(with video or adjustable still cameras)
- Basic levels
of skill and knowledge for recording a crime scene
- Various
images to take
- Set-ups
for each type of image
- Working knowledge
of the fundamentals of photography and/or videography
- Proper collection
and preservation of the recording media
- Creation
and maintenance of the chain of custody
- Working
knowledge of the capabilities and limitations of equipment
- Selection
and operation of the appropriate cameras (digital, video, or film)
and accessories
- Demonstration
of competency
- Demonstration
of proficiency through testing
Crime Scene
Technicians Level 2
(capable of training Level 1 crime scene technicians and law enforcement
officers)
- Comprehensive
knowledge of and experience in forensic photography techniques,
such as
- Retrieving
impression evidence such as fingerprints and/or blood spatter
- Selecting
the appropriate film and equipment based on knowledge of the
capabilities and limitations of the various aspects of imaging
- Solving
difficult non-routine imaging problems
- Awareness
of film processing and image processing options; (i.e., the effects
of the push process or contrast adjustments)
- Videography
techniques (refer to LEVA Guidelines at www.leva.org)
- Knowledge
of how to use the most common image processing tools and techniques
- Competency
demonstration
- Proficiency
demonstration through testing
Imaging Specialists
Personnel include
photographic specialists, forensic scientists, and forensic video
analysts. These personnel are capable of training law enforcement
officers and Level 1 and Level 2 crime scene technicians.
- Working knowledge
of how to use the various applicable aspects of the imaging chain
- Expertise
in using techniques applicable to a particular discipline
- Photogrammetry
- Surveillance
imaging
- Frequency
domain conversion; (i.e., Fast Fourier Transform filtering)
- Alternate
light sources and contrast filtering
- Demonstration
of competency
- Demonstration
of proficiency through testing
Trainers
- Classroom
techniques
- Development
of lesson plans
- Preparation
of audio-visual materials
- Development
of student exercises
- Selection
of text books and reference materials
- Development
of course exams
- Development
of proficiency exams
- ·Development
of course evaluation processes
- Demonstration
of competency in subject matter
- Demonstration
of proficiency in subject matter by testing
Issues to
Consider when Addressing Training Needs
A number of
issues should be considered when addressing an agency's training
needs. The following section provides guidance for selecting training
providers and addressing continuing education and testimony training
needs.
Selecting
a Training Provider
Continuing
Education
Continuing education
can be obtained from training conferences, trade shows, and specialized
courses. This training should address updates and the use of new
imaging technologies such as:
- Equipment
- Software
- Imaging techniques
applicable to law enforcement
- Scientific
techniques beneficial to forensic imaging
Testimony
Training
This training
should address the use of image-based evidence in court such as:
- Lecture-type
presentation relevant to court testimony
- Moot court
- Court monitoring
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