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Definitions and Guidelines for the Use of Imaging Technologies in the Criminal Justice System

NCJ Number
218837
Journal
Forensic Science Communications Volume: 1 Issue: 3 Dated: October 1999 Pages: 1-6
Date Published
October 1999
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The FBI Laboratory's Scientific Working Group on Imaging Technologies (SWGIT) presents definitions and guidelines for the use of imaging technologies in the criminal justice system.
Abstract
The definitions and guidelines pertain to the capture, storage, processing, analysis, transmission, and output of images. The definitions are intended for use by criminal justice personnel when they discuss imaging and imaging technologies. The preliminary general guidelines provided in this document are intended for use by criminal justice personnel as they develop specific standard operating procedures and quality assurance and training, qualifications, and proficiency programs for their agencies. The guidelines specify the documentation of policies and procedures, storage and postcapture processing so as to preserve the original image, the documentation of image processing, the verification of original and processed images, and chain of custody in preserving the original image. Guidelines also address software and image compression, capture, output, and transmission. In addition, the guidelines suggest what should be included in the development of standard operating procedures for the use of imaging technologies in the criminal justice system. Quality assurance guidelines address equipment, software, and personnel. Guidelines are also presented for the training, qualifications, and proficiency-awareness training of photographers and imaging scientists.