Monday, February 09, 2004

Doubt in Digital Images?

Is the digital enhancement of photographs "junk" science? A recent case in Florida saw challenges based upon that notion, and the murder trial ended in an acquittal.

So, what are the differences between analog and digital images, and should it make a difference in the courtroom? The FBI has an interesting set of Recommendations and Guidelines for the Use of Digital Image Processing in the Criminal Justice System, Forensic Science Communicaton

The Guidelines contain some nice examples of enhancements to digital images. There are a lot of issues to consider when it comes to the ability to digitally enhance images. There is some potential to make challenges to the technology interesting.