Product Description

It happens all too often: The vague images of a poor quality video from a surveillance camera splash across the screen in a darkened courtroom and the guilt or innocence of the defendant hinges on whether or not the jury can determine if he or she is really the person in those images. Interpretation and misinterpretation of information about imaging in general, and digital image manipulation in computers in particular, by expert witnesses on both sides, and by counsel who ask questions that are both confused and confusing, may or may not help the jury in reaching a decision. Clearly there is a need for a simple guide to digital imaging for law and forensic professionals. Forensic Uses of Digital Imaging addresses that need. Written by the author of the best selling Image Processing Handbook, it shows you step-by-step how to use digital imaging to its best advantage. It explains by example when and why some procedures are appropriate and what they can be expected to reveal. While other books discuss computer programming to implement algorithms, this book shows in more simple terms just what the advantages and shortcomings of digital imaging are, and how computer image processing can be used to enhance the ability to access detail without compromising the truth of images. Practitioners will learn how to testify about their procedures and results in simple, precise language. Counsel will discover appropriate avenues for questioning to bring forth such explanations, and how to challenge witnesses who may confuse or mislead juries with wrong information or opinions.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #364169 in Books
• Published on: 2001-05-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 200 pages

Customer Reviews

Written in a easy-to-read form
This book gives a good overview of forensic image processing, and the challenges that are involved with using this in court. It has many image examples that clarify the text in the book, and was easy to read. The only thing that I did not like was that there are no references to literature sources given in this book.

Good Book for Forensic students and experts
This book uses scientific knowledge and a bit of mathematics to explain how digital imaging works. It explains how digital filters work, (ie median filter, noise filtering etc). The book also has a unique way of looking at digital imaging through the eye's of Mr John C. Russ the author. The author is very competent in his field of Forensics and how the court system works in determining what type of digital enhancements are acceptable in our court systems.

It's not a beginner's book in this area, I would say about Intermediate level. This book is used for a college course in digital forensics. If the instuctor can help explain some of the material in the book, that would be helpful as well. I would recommend this book to any forensic expert's or individuals who are interested in the field of digital forensics.

"The Truth About Pixels According to Dr. Russ"
"Forensic Uses of Digital Imaging," John C. Russ, NY, CRC Press 2001, ISBN: 0-8493-0903-4, HC 200/183 pgs. text, plus 8 pg. Index, 16 pg. color photos & ample B&W text images.

Author of 12 books & Prof. of Sci. & Engineering at NCSU, Russ is distinguished consultant, writer & teacher of image analyses, etc., "Forensic Uses of Digital Imaging" (FUDI) is a scholarly A to Z valuation of digital imaging (DI) helplful for those in & outside forensic dominions. He provides 5 chapters covering the DI camera, DI Processing, DI Enhancement, DI Identification & DI Expert Witness. Herein, he covers truly relevant elements of how DI & SBI differ, how images are stored, analyzed, compressed, altered, enhanced & used for identification.

The only comparable book I've read is W. J. Mitchell's (1992) "The Reconfigured Eye." Much of the material in FUDI is new, perhaps novel in explanation & is what may be termed an authoritative source book on DI. FUDI is not a book on how to take digital photos but rather an elucidation of how DI cameras capture, store & process images - pitfalls of JPEG compression, extending capabilities of DI imaging & how DI may be used in forensic legal work, & he discusses the Frye rules & the Daubert test.