Have you ever walked down a city street and noticed video cameras on the top of light posts and telephone poles?

 Why on earth would anybody want to see that city street let alone you walking down that street?  Are public cameras an invasion of privacy or are they "The Eye in the Sky" making adjustments to extraneous elements while making your life easier or are they an invasion of privacy? 

 Either way, video cameras in public places have become a way of life and you better get use to them because, well just because. 

 They are part of a closed circuit (instead of broadcast) digital video system that has the capability to control your life by regulating extraneous conditions of a given environment around the clock while controlling crime.

 That digital video you see literally everywhere is a part of a system known as a closed circuit television system (CCTV) and helps keep our busy world safe and hassle free - well at least in theory.

 A city CCTV system is a huge network of cameras, computers and cable that can regulate traffic signals, alert police to automobile accidents, deter crime, solve crime and even save lives.

 Indoors, those same camera systems do similar activity, as well as many others like keep baby’s safe in hospital nursery’s and monitor critical care units. 

 The city of Denver, Colorado has the most intricate, complicated and largest CCTV system in place in its downtown district.  Hundreds of closed circuit cameras in dozens of municipal locations, both indoor and outdoor, all connected to a very large computer system that can be monitored in many different locations.  Eventually, it is this author’s belief that within five years, every major city across America will have a surveillance system similar to Denver’s in place.  This is the major digital video application.

 There are two formats for Closed Circuit TV security systems (CCTV) for smaller business applications.  They operate similar to the big city wide systems and all have cameras, computers and cabling.  One type is a digital system, which incorporates a computer (DVR or digital video recorder) as it’s recording device and the and the other is analogue, which incorporates an analogue video recorder or VCR.  Both serve the business owner by recording events in their businesses while they are closed after hours or while their backs are turned during business hours. 

 Both formats are capable to record multiple camera views onto their system and store them for later viewing, reviewing or in the case of a crime committed, identifying criminals.

 Multiple cameras can be installed at a large or small location and viewed as well as recorded simultaneously on both formats.  Analog incorporating multiplexers that switch camera perspectives, while digital incorporates software programs that function similarily.  The more sophisticated systems like the ones Indianapolis manufacturer Pelco carries, and has in place in Denver,  have many adjustments, settings, frame options and video export options, as well as signal routing features.  The lower end VHS systems are pretty straight forward and easy to operate but have less features and options but can still guard a business like the more sophisticated ones.

 Both systems can incorporate point, tilt and zoom cameras or steady non moving static view cameras.  The point tilt zoom cameras (PTZ) can move to follow action both automatically and manually.  Non-moving cameras capture the area under security in a stationary fashion. 

 The advantage of digital systems is that the quality is far superior to analogue (especially when images must be retrieved for identification purposes).  Digital formats and compressions make the recorded files smaller so more of the video will fit for longer periods of time in the computer or DVR. Tape or analogue systems have limited storage capacity and need to have new tapes inserted, which can be costly especially when a tape becomes worn and a crime scene is not recoverable.

 Digital video systems use a process called compression which reduces the file size of high quality digital video and can be burned and backed up onto a CD Rom right in the DVR of the CCTV system.  Once these files have been identified and isolated, they can be kept forever until deleted.

 I have worked as a video forensic expert on cases where analogue video was entered as evidence on time lapse VHS tape that has been recycled many times. The examination and authentication process is much different and more difficult for analogue than it is for digital.  I am expected to produce a high quality image of the crime for the court from a worn out pixilated low resolution analogue tape.  

 When you factor how much it could cost to recover from the crime and paying a forensic expert to try and recover an image, purchasing a digital CCTV system is a much better investment and will produce better forensic results.

 Once a crime has been committed and caught on a digital recording device (DVR), a back up digital video can immediately be made of the crime using digital video technology.  This back up often called "book marking" or "Alarm File" is immediately taken out of the normal refresh cue and stored in a safe area for further forensic examination. 

 What could a court do with an analogue video surveillance tape?  Make copies for all parties with generation loss?  Factor in the video tape has been used for 18 months on a one month recycle process?  Try to lift a frame of video off the tape and compare it to a frame of digital video? 

 There is no comparison.  The digital video proves time and time again, a much clearer image.

 Here are some suggested maintenance tips for both Analogue and Digital CCTV security systems:

 Clean your camera lenses and weather proof housings monthly.   Outdoor cameras and weatherproof housings can become especially dirty and be moved by birds, weather and other unexpected elements.  Housings have seals that can become worn out and break to let in vapor that can blur video images. 

 Test your digital or analogue recorder monthly to assure all cameras look good and are pointed at the appropriate areas and replace any poorly functioning cameras or recording equipment.  Clean the tape heads of your analogue video record deck with a head cleaner that can be purchased from Radio Shack or on line from many vendors that still carry analogue head cleaning tapes.  In addition, demagnetize your analogue video recorder tape heads.  This will remove magnetic build up that can cause poor record quality.

 Defragment your digital video recorder regularly like you do your computer so your digital system has the available space to function properly and provide a clear clean image.

 The next time you walk down the street and see a camera on top of a light pole or visit a business and see the cameras on the wall, feel good about them because they have the potential of saving you some time when traffic becomes congested.   They can also save a life when a baby’s vital signs become out of range or deter crime when a crime might have been committed.

 Now, I hope you have a better understanding of the perplexity and complexity of CCTV systems.  The Eye in the Sky has become a way of life.  Look for them when you cruise the streets of any major city.

 As a video forensic expert, I am asked about accident reconstruction professionally documented on digital video tape and assembled so a jury can experience the accident how it happened according to the crime scene investigation experts, documents available to the video recreation expert based on the truth of evidence from the accident scene immediately following.

 Both Defense and plaintiff attorneys are using accident reconstruction videos and animation more and more in litigation today because as it is said, a picture is worth a thousand words.  Videos however help jury’s understand what happened and the circumstances surrounding the incident or accident.  Circumstances up to this point that were only explained using words-which are less of an experience than pictures, images and video.

 Since accident reconstruction videos utilize much of my background as a video forensic expert, I am bringing my perspective of the process to you in this article in hopes to enlighten you and hopefully help you with a future case or situation you may have regarding an accident.  In the following article, I will explain to the best of my experience, the thought process of an accident reconstruction video expert using forensic evidence.  It is important to have a completely unbiased point of view regarding the case itself when creating the video.  That way the jury can nearly experience the accident as if they were a witness to the accident.

 Remember, the main purpose for an accident reconstruction video is to bring the accident back to life in the courtroom, so the jury can experience the events as close as they occurred first hand.

 For example, if you had to recreate an accident on video of a car hitting a woman who was walking on the side of a two lane road, with small shoulders, at night, the following techniques and considerations should be exemplified.

 First, determine four angles the video should be taken from.  We call these perspectives.  When considering the perspectives, put one of the cameras where any witnesses may have been.  Put another camera at the perspective of someone who would have had a front row seat.  This is your sweet spot perspective.  Place another camera  opposite the sweet spot shot so you have a reverse perspective of the sweet spot.  Then place the fourth camera in the drivers seat-or as close as possible to that.  In other words, inside the car as close to the drivers perspective as possible.

 Videotape at the same time the accident occurred.  Plan on several practice runs before the desired shot is to be taped.  I like to call these rehearsal shots.  During the rehearsal shot time, adjust your equipment accordingly.  Move the cameras, be ready to adjust iris and shutter speed to compensate for the night atmosphere.

 Position several cameras at different angles and determine which angles are best for the jury to understand the circumstances surrounding the accident.

 Always keep in mind that you should put yourself in the jury’s position, what would you want to see if you were a juror?

 Video as well as still pictures or images help the jury and the court understand the exact elements and circumstances surrounding the accident or incident.

 The human eye sees differently than the camera in many areas.  First, the eye has peripheral vision.  The human eye can see about 190 degrees peripherally.  In addition, the human eye can see more in the dark than a camera.  Therefore, when recreating a crime at night, keep several factors in mind.  First, adjust your iris and shutter so what you see in the camera lens looks as similar as possible to the actual scene being video taped.

 Next, use a wide angle lens to capture as much of the potential peripheral scene as possible.  When possible, use a 8” reference monitor properly calibrated.  This will help you with another perspective of what the video looks like compared to the actual scene.

 Use a tighter lens when trying to focus on a specific area, like a hole in the road somebody may have tripped on.

 Speaking of holes in the road, always shoot more than you need-especially terrain so the court and jury can see what the ground and surrounding area is like at the exact time the accident or incident occurred.  These elements include but are not limited to road, grass, asphalt holes, concrete, broken glass, previous accident car pieces, rocks, and of course all holes.    

 What type of reflective surfaces and other landmarks are present that can be used as area identification markers?  What color are they?  Can they be identified at night as well as during the day?  Compare these to what was visible during the accident or incident.  Some landmarks include street signs, trees, light posts, lighting, fences, no passing signs, wires, street signs, speed limit signs, yield signs and stop signs.  Videotape all elements to have in case you may need them during your edit.

 Make sure all elements in all aspects of the case are the same including tire air pressure, height of the headlights.  Is the truck or car being used to recreate the accident the exact make and model of the vehicle involved in the accident?

 What was the time of day of the accident?  Time of year of the accident and if possible, shoot your recreation video on the anniversary of the accident at the exact time and of course location. 

 What was the weather like when the accident occurred?  You have to take into consideration temperature and other weather conditions like rain and snow. 

 If there are street lights around the accident scene, are the bulbs wattage the same lumens as the bulbs were at the time of the accident?  Check with the city or county road commission and determine the last time those street light bulbs were changed. 

 Assemble a great team of experts to help with the accident reconstruction video.  An accident reconstruction expert with an engineering background can help with scientific facts like inertia in motion, weight of the truck, train or car compared to how long at what speed to come to a stop?

 Is your video forensic expert experienced with shooting accident reconstruction videos?  Good attorneys know how to build a good forensic and expert witness team and listen to what the experts have to say instead of telling the experts how to do their job.  Attorneys want to know the bad, as well as the good so they know how to peruse and plan their case. 

 When you look at the surrounding landscape with your naked eye, your goal is to recreate that natural ambience as best as you can.  First, make sure your brightness gain is at zero.  You will need to adjust this later in the process if you are recreating a nighttime video.  Next, adjust your F stop or iris as close to the current naked eye brightness as possible.  You will not be able to exactly match a night setting with adjusting your iris alone.

 Next, adjust your shutter speed.  Optimal quality is 1/60^th and you may have to adjust up to 1/75^th or 1/100^th when shooting in bright light or down to 1/30^th or 1/15^th when shooting at night.  The slower shutter speed will let in more light and cause a “smear-like” image.  This is ok since the quality of the shot is closely matched to what the naked eye sees and is a good representation for the jury.

 When you are shooting with a slower shutter speed, try not to move the camera any more than absolutely necessary.  It tends to smear the image being shot. 

 Use slow pan shots as a technique to help reveal the terrain.  This accommodates the peripheral view of the scene for the jury.   You can use a wide angle pan, wide angle static shot, standard lens pan and standard lens shot. 

 I use the Cannon XL2 and XL1 when shooting accident recreation video because I love the lens options available.  Basically any lens Cannon makes for video or still cameras can be interchanged with both the XL1 and XL2. 

 Videotape from all perspectives, the victim, any witnesses, the driver of the vehicle or train or Crain. Next, what I like to call the “Dream” shot.  This is a shot you know will help your case and the judge may not allow into as evidence in the recreation video. 

 Always make as recorded DVD copies of all footage and review with your attorney.  Worse case, let the attorney view all footage before editing to make sure your vision of the final product is on the same page as the attorneys.  Keep in mind when editing that you have several editing based techniques that will help the end production.  Some techniques include: Slow motion, cropping, enlarging, and color correcting to help you produce the perfect accident recreation video. 

  When I arrive at the accident scene, I look around and visualize how the accident must have looked based on the police report, driver, witness and victim depositions.  Recreate the accident in your minds eye then begin to assemble a shot sheet on sight as well as before arriving at the location.

 Also picture the final edit in your minds eye because it will also help you to determine how to best capture the recreation and create an exemplar for the court and jury that will help your client present the facts and bring justice to the case.

 Check out: www.BandHPhotoVideo.com for Cannon camera’s and lens’s, as well as other video equipment that will help you when recreating an accident on video.

Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Ed Primeau     ed@PrimeauProductions.com

248-853-4091 

Ed Primeau is an audio Video forensic Expert from Rochester Hills, Michigan.