ABSTRACTS

Program Title: 

STANDARDS?  We don’t need no stinkin’ standards!
(AKA “Fear Factor CSI: The Digital Scene”)

Presented By:  David “Ski” Witzke, Vice President, Program Development, Foray Technologies

Program Abstract:  More than ten years after the digital camera explosion, many people in law enforcement are still afraid of digital imaging.  Why?  Primarily because “people fear that which they do not understand” and there are a lot of defense attorneys who prey on that fear long before a digital image makes it into the courtroom!  The lack of knowledge in this area has led to an unacceptably high fear factor in law enforcement when it comes to the use and acceptance of digital imaging.  (I always thought ignorance was bliss, but there are a lot of “un-blissful” people out there who don’t understand what digital imaging is all about!  Or should I say their limited knowledge about digital imaging enables them to be manipulated much easier than the digital images that they are afraid of using!)

During this presentation we will discuss the myths, misconceptions and misunderstandings of forensic digital imaging.  It will include a discussion of terminology, best practices for capturing, processing and storing digital images, including what formats to use, what techniques are “acceptable” and constitute best practices guidelines.  We will also discuss how increasing your knowledge and understanding will remove the confusion, frustration and uncertainty surrounding the use of digital imaging techniques and produce images that are true, “reliable,” and accurate representations.

Program Title:  Digital Imaging for Dummies: Everything you wanted to know about digital imaging but were afraid to ask

Presented By:  David “Ski” Witzke, Vice President, Program Development, Foray Technologies

Program Abstract:  The good news is that the basic concepts and principals of digital imaging haven’t changed in years; the bad news is that the use of digital imaging is becoming more widespread in forensics.  Why is this bad news?  Unfortunately, many agencies are experiencing difficulties sharing information because of the lack of standards including what file formats do you use?  How do you document your imaging process?  The effects of these issues are being felt from the crime scene to the courtroom. The influence of digital imaging is also changing the way in which agencies are looking at and handling their digital images:  is it evidence? Or is it documentation?

This presentation will address the most common issues and concerns that are involved in making a commitment to move from traditional photographic image processing of crime scenes to digital processing of crime scenes.  It will also describe how to make a less painful transition from film to digital imaging.  As part of this discussion, Ski will focus on a wide range of topics from input ― to display ― to output.  For instance, what does image quality mean to you and what does input, display, and output resolution have to do with it?

Ski will also cover issues you must consider when selecting a digital camera.  For example, which camera should you use for traffic accidents, domestic violence cases, major crime scenes, and so forth.  He will also include a detailed discussion of policies and procedures that must be put in place to provide image security and data integrity as well as ensure data privacy.  This exchange of ideas will cover how images are managed once the shutter release button is pressed until the images are shared with another agency, or with an AFIS or with the DA during discovery.

At the end of this presentation you will be prepared to get digital!  Or put another way, you will be proud to say "I do it digitally!"

Learning Objectives:  After completing this course of instruction, the class participants will be able to:

·         Explain the difference between input, display and output resolution

·         Describe the difference file formats and identify which format is appropriate for their task

·         Explain the important distinctions between pixels per inch (ppi) versus dots per inch (dpi)

·         Explain the reasons why digital imaging should be used in their environment

·         Identify the basic principals that must be addressed when preparing their standard operating procedures (SOP)

·         Identify the major benefits provided to forensics using digital imaging

·         Define the characteristics that must be considered when selecting an appropriate digital image acquisition device

Lifting  Prints Off Unusual Surfaces

Richard Warrington

Lynn Peavey Corporation

A hands-on work shop for up to 40 at a time

It includes the following:

Lifting latent prints off textured surfaces

Lifting latent prints off multi-contoured surfaces

Lifting latent prints off multi-contoured textured surfaces

Developing and lifting latent prints on wet surfaces while still wet

Developing latent prints on the adhesive side of tape

Developing and lifting latent prints off a feather

Developing and lifting latent prints off a paper towel

Basically if you can develop a latent print on an item this class will show you how to lift it off (with the exception of the prints on adhesive side of tape)

Digital Imaging Techniques and New Technologies:

~ 4 hours         (LIMITED TO 16 ATTENDEES)

Edward Robinson, Professor at George Washington University Forensic Program and Tom Beecher, Photografix

No equipment necessary.

·         File Formats and their applications (presentation)

o RAW vs. TIFF vs. JPEG

·         Maintaining Integrity of the Digital File (presentation)

o Working from copies

o Verification for digital files

o One-to-One Measurement and History options in Photoshop

·         Software Processing Options (presentation)

o Use of RAW Plug-in within Photoshop

o Phase One C1 Pro and RAW file format use

·         Hardware Options for Lab Environments (hands on)

o Use of FODIS LW to increase quality of digital files and increase productivity in lab workflows

o The items above, file formats, integrity, and software processing are put to practical use

·         Hardware Options for Field Environments (hands on)

o Use of Foresight ALS to search, locate, and digitally photograph evidence in room light and daylight conditions

o Attendees will have an opportunity to use digital cameras and Foresight ALS in a practical application

ENCOURAGE THE ATTENDEES TO BRING OWN DIGITAL CAMERA, BUT NOT A REQUIREMENT

Converting from Film to Digital: Strategies for Law Enforcement Agencies

Edward Robinson, Professor at George Washington University Forensic Program and Tom Beecher, Photografix

- This presentation covers strategies to successfully navigate into a digital environment

firearms PRESENTATION

DANIEL OKELLY, ATF

DESCRIPTION:
This course is presented by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms and Explosives, and hosted by the FDIAI.

It is open to LE personnel only, and is especially helpful to those who
actually handle "crime-guns" and ammunition, such as Patrol Officers,
Homicide Detectives, Prosecutors, Crime Scene Investigators, Firearm and
Tool-mark Examiners, States Attorneys, Medical Examiners, Evidence
Technicians, and Firearm Instructors.

WHAT:

The course prepares the attendee to recognize, safely handle, properly identify, describe and testify about firearms and ammunition with an emphasis on Federal prosecution. Many law enforcement officers don't realize that persons prohibited under Federal law from possessing firearms, are also prohibited from possessing ammunition (including spent casings)! Many mandatory sentences of more than fifteen years have been given to criminals for mere possession of these casings/cartridges.

The attendee is familiarized with the resources that ATF provides to all law enforcement agencies, such as the Technology Branch, NIBIN (the technology
that tracks bullets and casings to crime-guns), the ATF National (gun) Tracing Center, and ATF's Laboratory services. It covers the ability of  tracing crime-guns through ATF's National Tracing Center, from the manufacturer to the purchaser, and the wealth of resulting evidentiary information available from the tracing database.

HOW: This seminar is taught using 70-80 firearms of all types for hands-on
examination. There is a user-friendly approach, covering the issues that plague even those with considerable firearm experience, yet making it easy for those with little or no firearm knowledge. It is taught "hands-on", allowing attendees to examine and manipulate numerous firearms while learning to properly ID. It is no more technical than necessary to satisfy the needs of the audience. Attendees are also provided with handouts that serve as handy reference guides in the field.

SECTION 1: Crime Gun Recognition, Handling, Technology and Prosecution, Part 1
(4 hours)

SECTION 2: Crime Gun Recognition, Handling, Technology and Prosecution, Part 2
(4 hours)

Topics;
Safety, Clearing Techniques, Definitions, Proper Identification,
Nomenclature, Non-Guns (Antiques), Markings, Mechanical Functioning, Dummy
Receivers, NIBIN, the Tracing of Firearms through ATF's National Tracing
Center, and other more advanced issues as requested by attendees.

Footwear Impression Evidence – From Crime Scene to Courtroom

Rodney Schenck

 United States Army Criminal Investigations Laboratory

Examiners worldwide must be able to clearly and logically demonstrate to courts their findings regarding footwear evidence examinations. A basic understanding of how to detect, capture and preserve footwear evidence is an instrumental step in this process. Once the basics are covered at the scene, it is time to present the evidence in the most methodical way possible. Typically this is done verbally with the assistance of black and white charted enlargements, depicting both questioned and known impressions, and demonstrating consistencies in size, shape and sole/tread design as well as individual characteristics. Studies have shown that demonstrative aids better capture the attention of the jury and explain at a glance that which would require lengthy, detailed and boring explanations.

This presentation will demonstrate how to take your footwear evidence from the crime scene to the courtroom by the use of new technology and techniques that can help enhance your footwear evidence. Hands on demonstrations will include the casting of footwear impressions using dental stone as well as the use of electrostatic and gelatin lifting techniques. Learn to be an effective expert witness and capture the attention of your jury with a more meaningful and convincing illustration of how your footwear evidence was detected, captured, preserved, compared and identified using a Power Point animated charting process to allow them to visualize the entire procedure.

Course Outline

A.       Introduction to Overall Impression Evidence

B.       Introduction to Footwear Impression Evidence

1.       Areas to Search

2.       Methods of Detection

      a. Natural vs Oblique Lighting

3.       Methods of Preservation

a.      Overall Crime Scene Photography

b.      Examination Quality Photography

c.       In Depth Sketches

4.       Methods of Collection

a.      Dental Stone Casting

b.      Use of Gelatin Lifters

c.       Use of Adhesive Lifters

d.      Use of Electrostatic Dust Lifters

Note: Upon completion of this portion of lecture, the workshop portion will take place using the previously mentioned techniques supplied by Mike GRIMM of EVIDENT Crime Scene Supply.

5.       Chemical Development of various types of footwear impressions (Blood, Dust, etc)

6.       Examination Techniques used in comparison of Footwear Impressions to known Standards

a.      Side by Side Comparison

b.      Superimposition

7.       The use of Modern Day Technology to Enhance Footwear Evidence for Courtroom Demonstrations.

8.       Questions?

Haunts, Hooligans, Horror Stories and “HELP” in Latent Prints: A Panel   Discussion Moderated by Ron Smith, President of Ron Smith & Associates, Inc.

This two hour panel discussion will address the “Hot Topics” facing the latent print discipline.  The panel will be composed of a carefully selected group of professionals representing management, instructors, senior examiners, new examiners and examiners working in the private sector.  The topics discussed will include, but will not be limited to the following:

*          Erroneous identifications and the fallout from them

*          The role of the I.A.I. in the world of erroneous identifications.

*          Scientific infallibility (fact or fiction)

*          The “V” in ACE-V.  What does it really mean?

*          How good is your unit anyway?  Do you actually want to know?

*          Confirmation Bias? What the heck is it and how do I kill it?

*          How much training do we actually need?

*          Ethics in the life of the private latent print examiner.

*          Latent Print Examiner Certification.  Why is the program not growing?

If you have a current or possibly controversial topic that you feel would be worth discussion in a panel format then please send the topic to Ron Smith at ron@ronsmithandassociates.com for consideration.  Don’t miss this session.  It will be smokin!

Barry A. J. Fisher, Crime Laboratory Director, Los Angeles County Sheriff’ Department

Forensic science has made significant advances in the last 25 years. Fingerprint and DNA data bases have revolutionized scientific crime solving. The public may be fascinated by the work done by forensic science practitioners but there have been a number of high profile instances where forensic science has failed to live up to its potential. What is the state of American forensic science and what do forensic practitioners need to know about the subject before s/he goes to court to testify?

This presentation will cover some of the emerging issues facing forensic practitioners and the organizations they work for. Case law such as Daubert and Brady is taken shape as the newest issues we face. These cases are likely to hold importance consequences to the way forensic science is practiced in the 21^st century.

Other topics to be discussed will include:

• The role of local forensic professional in terrorist events.
• The potential for greater oversight of practitioners and forensic laboratories.
• The possibility of civil liability against forensic scientists when errors are made.
• Demonstrating reliability in a post Daubert world.
• The effect that Brady issues may have in forensic investigations.
• The so-called CSI effect.

This lecture will provide an overview of the scoop of forensic science and discuss the recent major issues facing forensic laboratories and forensic practitioners.