NCJ Number
200797
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 30 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2003 Pages: 56,58-60,62,64,66
Editor(s)
Ronnie Garrett
Date Published
June 2003
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article examines the revolutionary use of digital imaging in law enforcement with a specific focus on the critical need to understand the issues of digital image management (IM), such as IM policy development, and the selection of IM software programs.
Abstract
The revolution of digital imaging has provided law enforcement agencies with a new tool, resulting in the progressive conversion from analog to digital. However, along with this digital revolution comes a number of assorted images from varied sources and sometimes difficult to store and access. The managing of these images is critical. A clear policy for image management (IM) must be in place before a law enforcement agency can make a successful transition from analog to digital. There are four important issues for law enforcement when implementing a digital imaging or photo system: (1) policy and procedure, (2) software selection, (3) training, and (4) automation. Available IM software programs consist of those intended for the basic capture and storage of digital images to those that provide a full range of IM tools. It is essential that there be a smooth transfer of images from image sources into the system, giving credence to the idea of keeping it simple, thereby requiring less training. There are different and varied philosophies regarding IM from IM seen as a training issue to other agencies seeing IM as automation. The IM philosophy chosen can dictate which type of IM program will best fit the agencies’ needs. An agency’s digital imaging needs can also be specific and limited to areas such as booking and mug shots to crime scene documentation to forensic crime labs. With the transition from analog to digital, vital images will need to be controlled and kept secure using some form of IM software.