Video Scene Magazine

(Sponsored by StarWitness.com -- free software demo 888-685-2100)

There's a good article in the November Law Enforcement Technology that discusses how to apply for grants to purchase forensic equipment. They cite two grant programs that we know have been successful in securing funding for forensic video equipment: Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program and the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program.

Link to the Law Enforcement Technology article: "Funds for Forensics"

Link to more information on the JAG grant program (estimate due date June 2011): JAG Grants at policegrantshelp.com

Link to more information on the Coverdell grant program (estimate due date May 2011): Paul Coverdell grants at policegrantshelp.com

Video Scene Magazine Survey:

Video Scene Magazine recently conducted a survey to find out how agencies work with video, and what tools they use. 75% of respondents indicated that they worked with video evidence and completed all the questions of the survey.

Your agency location by US Region

Of the people to responded to the survey, the majority of the responses were from the Southwest at 31% followed closely by the West at 29%.

Your title or rank

This was a free range question, so the results were pretty varied. The titles ranged anywhere from Detective to AV Specialist to Loss Prevention Manager. The majority of the surveyed were Detectives at 22% followed by Sergeants at 15%.

Number of full-time sworn officers in your agency.

82% of those who responded to the survey work in a department of 500 or less full time sworn officers. The remaining 19% ranged from 501 sworn officers to 11,000 sworn officers.

Population served by your agency

This was another free answer question, which gave us results ranging from 210 to 303,000,000. The majority of those surveyed fall in the 10,000 to 100,000 at 35%.

What department do you work in?

Of those who worked with video evidence the majority are Detectives at 41%, followed by those working in a Video Forensics department at 28% and in Technical Support at 21%.

How many years have you worked with video evidence?

40% of the surveyed who work with video evidence have worked in the field for 5-10 years. 36% have worked with video evidence for 1-5 years.

Have you presented video evidence in court?

54% of the surveyed who answered ‘yes’ to question eight have presented video evidence in court. 46% have not.

What type of video do you work with most?

92% of those who answered yes to question eight work mostly with digital video. 8% work mostly with analog video.

List any trade magazines you use to find information on video evidence:

36% refer to trade magazines. Here are a few of the magazines mentioned by our surveyors:

Video Scene Magazine
Evidence Technology Magazine
Forensics Magazine
Government Video
Law Enforcement Technology
DFI News
Video Technology and Applications
Digital Video
NATIA Trade Publications
Police Magazine
9-1-1 Magazine
American Police Beat
Adobe Photoshop Magazines
Law Officer
Information Week
Emergency Management
AV Technology
Security Magazine
ProAV
Wired
LEVA emails
Forensic Forum
Photonics Spectrum

List any websites you frequent to find information on video evidence:

53% do not frequent websites for information. 47% do go to the web for information. Here are some of the sites they visit:

www.media-geek.com
www.leva.org
www.google.com (Google searches)
www.dfinews.com
www.fourcc.org
FVA List
www.resvid.com
www.iai.org
www.videoscenemagazine.com
www.signalscape.com
www.adobe.com
www.apple.com
www.evidencemagazine.com
www.forensicmag.com
www.oceansystems.com
www.salientstills.com
forensicphotoshop.blogspot.com
www.imagingofevidence.com/blog/
www.starwitnessinfo.com

How many videos do you work in an average week?

67% work less than 5 videos per week. Most of the surveyed work 0-10 videos per week, very few work more than 10 videos a week.

Does your agency have equipment dedicated to video evidence collection/recover, analysis or enhancement?

82% do have dedicated equipment. 18% do not have dedicated equipment.

Does your agency have equipment specifically for working video in the field, for example a digital video evidence collection kit?

49% do have field equipment, 49% do not and 3% were not sure whether they do or not.

How many years has your agency worked with video evidence?

Milestone for video evidence

Need funding for forensic equipment?

TV show airs on the side of reality

Survey Says...