NCJ Number
177423
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 66 Issue: 5 Dated: May 1999 Pages: 56-60
Date Published
1999
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC) has a regional office in California that has performed computer image analysis and enhancement for police departments in more than 200 criminal cases.
Abstract
Located on the grounds of the Aerospace Corporation, the NLECTC draws on the corporation's expertise in space technology and security systems to analyze video evidence. Using sophisticated computer software, experts have extracted information from video evidence in such criminal cases as serial rapes, kidnappings, homicides, and robberies. The technology helps police investigators identify suspects, create pictures to show witnesses, reconstruct crime scenes, and get clearer shots of license plates and vehicles. The increasing use of computer imaging systems by police departments is discussed, with specific systems described. New areas of computer imaging technology are noted, including crime scene and accident reconstruction, and the value of the technology in crime mapping is considered. A source list of computer imaging software is included.