Case History
Case Study. A taxi driver picked up his fare and at some time along the route the two passengers robbed him. Prior to the robbery the two suspects were seen in a chip shop. The suspects were imaged by the CCTV system and the police seized the exhibits. A male and a female were arrested in connection with the offence and held in custody. We provided a 3D anaglyph (right) in support of the report.
Case Study. In a "perverting the course of justice" trial a landlord had been accused of tampering with a CCTV video recorder whilst a murder occurred. The CCTV video was missing 1-2 minutes of video. FVS analysed the equipment and found it to be in working order. However, after performing some tests they discovered how the "missing video" may have disappeared. Bill demonstrated his findings.
Their vast experience as an imagery analyst enables the team to apply these skills in the field of forensics. Often theys can extract more information from a photograph than we can see. This is because our eyes can only see a small number of grey levels. By using image-processing software it is possible to enable us to see more information and look into the shadows.
Photogrammetry is often used to provide the heights of the offender, and if possible to eliminate the suspect. Clothing is examined to provide comparisons and facial mapping is used to compare faces.
Case Study. The photo shown right was used to illustrate whether an offender had worn a scarf during a series of armed robberies. It was shown that the scarf had been used in three robberies.
FVS will visit the scene of a crime to take measurements in order to height a criminal. By using a calibrated pole and placing it in the area of where the crime was committed it is possible to work out the height of an individual.
Case Study. The man in the picture (see below) was measured at 6' 4''. On seeing the report he admitted that he was present at the scene.
Case Study. Facial mapping helps provide identification where there is a dispute. The photograph shown below helped the immigration service prove that the person on the right was one and the same as the person on the left. By plotting the facial landmarks and identifying unique features such as spots, blemishes etc it is possible to prove or disprove identity. Upon reading the report the defendant pleaded.
Not all jobs are "people identification". FVS can provide identification on cars, vans and lorries, in fact anything. When examining vehicles we look for unique features.
Case Study. In 2002 an old lady was robbed in an alleyway A van was seen in the area at the time the crime was committed. We were able to show that the van seen on the day and the one held by police were one and the same.
Case Study. In the case of a murder FVS were able to identify 200 cars that passed a public house at the time of the murder. The report was useful to the police in the identification of a suspect car, believed to be the getaway vehicle.
Case Study. A murder occurred in Gloucester and was captured on a local factory's CCTV. However, the car that police suspected as being involved had been burnt out. FVS staged a reconstruction with a similar car and undertook an examination of the burnt out car. The resulting report proved that the cars were one and the same.