Imaging Services

The Bureau offers a variety of Imaging Services. The original is a Digital Darkroom where digital images (from digital cameras) of investigation scenes are processed, placed into a database, and archived.  The Digital Darkroom processed over 154,382 images from 2,998 cases from July 1, 2010 to July 1, 2011.

The Bureau also has the ability to import, analyze, manage, and archive video from most video media. The placement of closed circuit security cameras has grown significantly. It is estimated that each of us is caught on film from eight to twelve times each day. These cameras are in ATM machines, businesses, government buildings, private residences, etc. As these cameras capture images, they often will capture either individuals committing a crime or individuals associated with a crime. It is logical then that these images have become an important piece of the investigative puzzle. Currently this work is being accomplished by the assistance of Detective Brock Dietz from the Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigation who was formerly the Crime Laboratory Analyst assigned to this work in the BFFEA. Anew Crime Laboratory Analyst, Melissa Stephens, will be completing her training and will process video for the bureau in late Spring 2012.  In some cases, the Bureau can aid in the physical recovery and restoration of damaged video capture devices and media. As an extension of its video work, the Bureau has the ability to perform limited audio processing. Please contact either Carl Chasteen or Melissa Stephens at the Bureau if you have a video or audio request.

Film, flashcards, video tapes, compact disks, DVD's, etc. may be mailed to the Bureau, with a letter explaining the processing to be done . In some instances, limited numbers of images for processing may be submitted via e-mail (there is a limit as to the size of the files that can be effectively sent and downloaded). Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations investigators have access to a shared virtual drive allowing a more convenient submission of images and image processing requests.

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