Any lead is important: Significance and application of CCTV enhancement in forensics

The criminal can’t help but leave clues at the crime scene. They can be obvious, like a shell casing, crowbar marks on a door, or unclear and inconclusive. In addition to the classic fingerprints, the offender may leave other evidence.

The task of criminologists is their discovery, preservation, and subsequent study. Any piece of evidence leading to a potential culprit, whether it be a weapon, a used tool, or otherwise, is extremely valuable, no matter how small. In this article, you can take a closer look at the features of forensic work and find out why forensic video analysis are of particular value to forensic experts.

An overview of the site

Every criminologist usually begins their work in the same place, that is, the scene of the crime. First, they search the region for evidence visible to the naked eye or clues of any recording from the CCTV or any image captured. Is there clear evidence of an invasion, any shot shells left behind, or any indications that automotive paint may have been used? Once the shell casings, paint, or glass fragments are collected and packaged in special bags, forensic scientists focus on evidence that can only be seen with a magnifying glass.

But in the case of any recordings or images captured on the crime scene, more details about the activity are being fetched for forensic video analysis. Suppose the image or video captured on the crime scene has a faded background or comes out blurry. In that case, it is necessary to use a CCTV enhancement forensic tech tool to deblur and make it more transparent.

In order not to miss any of the smallest details leading to a possible criminal, special lighting and film are used to collect evidence that the naked eye cannot see. At the same time, an accurate description of the process is carried out. Also, portable macroscope and stereomicroscopes provide significant assistance in finding clues and leads.

The tools used by thieves also leave marks.

Another major application of the comparative macroscope is the forensic examination of hacking tools. When hacking, the criminal often uses a tool, such as a screwdriver, which leaves rather characteristic traces on the object. With frequent use, any tool acquires unique marks, such as chips, scratches, and notches.

forensic tech tools

A special silicone paste is used to take an impression of a damaged object. After discovering the hacking tool, the experts obtain its shape by pressing it into lead plates, from which a cast is taken. The final step is to compare these two casts using a macroscope from the crime scene and the one created in the laboratory.

However, these processes will not be rigorous if a video or image is taken from the crime scene. All the expert has to do is extract the video and undergo a forensic video analysis. Sometimes in the case of an image, an enhancement is visible, which can be done with free forensic image enhancement software. This way, you’ll get a clearer view of the marks left by the thief.

CCTV Enhancement: From invisible to visible

In addition, forensic tech tools have demonstrated a clear ability to examine significant specimens, including weapons, burglary tools, and activities analysis. Whether or not this item was used in the commission of a crime may be shown with absolute certainty.

Video forensics is used to examine and analyze evidence at a crime scene that is not apparent to the human eye. Nevertheless, even when the investigator is not there when the event occurs, forensic video or image analysis aids in making connections.

Conclusion

In conclusion, 360 video photogrammetry is the best way to get a proper notion of a crime scene. But it may become tedious when the acquired videos or images are not of a better quality. This is why it is vital to enhance the evidence to some center level to help you turn the invisible into a visible scene. A forensic tech tool we recommend you use for this is the  online software, which gives you access to enhance from anywhere, anytime.