Crime and Clues

Criminal Investigation News

New Tamper Proof Evidence Bags

Detroit, MI - May 8, 2007 - The new and improved Hippo Evidence Bags standardize crime scene evidence collections in sizes for the smallest DNA samples, small handgun to bodies. The bags are available in breathable Kraft paper or polyethylene. The patented opening, sealing and closing device makes these bags far superior than any others currently on the market. They have proven to be the evidence collection choice of law enforcement around the country.

Other features include a flat bottom so they can stand up with an open mouth for each insertion and a standardized label for recording pertinent facts. Contact Hippo Evidence Bags for samples or to place an order. Quantity discounts available.

Protect unattended assets from theft, tampering, damage & terrorism. The handle ensures evidence is not accidently squashed or smudged during transport. We heard what law enforcement officers said they wanted, and we developed it.

Visit www.hippoevidencebags.com for more information and for pricing. Or email us with your questions or to place an order. If you prefer to speak to someone direct, we can be reached at 248.426.9027.

Hippo Evidence Bags are the answer...let them be your first, most reliable witness!

Hippo Evidence Bags, LLC is a subsidiary of Hippo, Inc. We are a company that strives on improving products through patented innovative ideas. Over the past 15 years we have developed a number of patented products that improve upon an original concept. The Hippo Evidence Bag is one of our premiere products.

Salient Stills Enables Easy Video Import, Capture, Conversion And Export

VFSource Quickly Captures Video From Many Sources – Analog and Digital, Proprietary and Non-Proprietary

BOSTON, MA, May 1, 2007 – Salient Stills, a leading video forensics and image enhancement software company, today introduced its agile VFSource video import, screen capture, analog capture and conversion system, designed to allow law enforcement and other users to quickly and easily capture surveillance and security video, for immediate use and forensics. VFSource captures video from a wide variety of analog and digital sources, for investigative use, sharing with other agents in the field, and further processing and forensics in a crime lab.

VFSource digitizes analog video and digital video from open and proprietary systems, and easily converts video to popular formats for viewing by other investigators and agents. As crime scene and surveillance video becomes a more common source of evidence, VFSource preserves video integrity, enabling further video forensics and allowing video to be used in prosecutions.

“There is more video camera, cell phone and CCTV video available to law enforcement today that ever before, making it a challenge for crime labs and police departments to efficiently capture video for investigations. With VFSource, we’ve made it easy for law enforcement agents to capture video, import video from a variety of analog and digital formats, and have usable video ready in minutes,” said Laura Teodosio, president and CTO of Salient Stills. “The sooner video is available, the faster investigations can proceed. And with VFSource, police officers and other law enforcement agents don’t have to be IT experts or video professionals to capture crime scene, investigative and surveillance video.”

VFSource:

Can be utilized as a prep station, a stand alone, or a mobile unit, with extraordinary speed, simplicity and flexibility; Was designed and tested with law enforcement, meeting the critical needs of officers working with digital video files; Screen captures video from proprietary digital video players, allowing users to highlight an area of an active video player window for capture, or use pre-defined crop areas, with all final movie frames displayed at the correct moment in time when they occurred in the original video; Imports non-proprietary digital files and digitizes analog video sources; Enables users to perform simple cropping, trimming and frame selection, so videos can be edited to include only the most important information; Convert video to a usable form (codec and file type) appropriate for either analysis or sharing, so that, used as a prep station, it helps agencies reduce video backlogs, turning previously unusable video into usable, sharable form, ready for analysis; and Exports video as industry standard movie files, including .MOV or .AVI, with numerous codec options, and allows for the correction of square/non-square pixels and frame-rate on export.

VFSource is available immediately from Salient Stills and a global network of resellers, with pricing starting at $5,000.

About Salient Stills

Founded in 1997, Salient Stills is a leading video forensics and image enhancement software company. From technology conceived at the MIT Media Lab, Salient Stills introduced its technology to answer the need for an efficient and effective video image enhancement solution. VideoFOCUS Pro and VF Source are video forensics solutions in use by law enforcement, security and military and intelligence agencies. For more information on Salient Stills visit http://www.salientstills.com/.

Encapsulated DA Brick Bolsters Video Surveillance Along Border

Security systems designers, integrators and installers recognize the added reliability of embedded ("potted") video and audio switches and distribution amplifiers used by broadcast, military and aerospace industries to clean up noise, while operating in harsh environments.

Increasingly dependent on continuous video monitoring and recording, even today's more sophisticated security surveillance systems are often plagued by reliability problems. In some ways, more complex video systems are susceptible to signal and other dependability problems simply because they are multifaceted.

Systems integrators may know what cameras and recorders to use in a given situation, but they also need to consider how subcomponents could play a critical role under certain conditions. A noisy switch or incompatible distribution amplifier (DA) can compromise the integrity of a video security system yet can go undiagnosed or even undetected until the horse is already out of the barn.

Interior installations experience problems with video humlines and audio line levels. Outdoor systems, including vehicle-mounted systems are exposed to a host of adverse operating conditions: extreme temperatures, vibration from wind or motion, varying power sources, and continually changing light. Across most of the southern U.S. border, those challenges are heightened by harsh environment, including heat and dust storms.

"You never know what you're going to run into when you get into integrating video systems into aircraft," says Chuck Blalock, Chief Engineer for L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace (New York, NY). L-3 specializes in advanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) systems, secure communications systems, plus the many types of equipment and support that is involved.

"For instance, on our sensor aircraft there are so many different videos going here and there to different components that we've got to have a way to keep that level of video at a useful level," explains Blalock.

L-3 is the prime maintenance contractor for U.S. Customs and Border Protection surveillance aircraft that fly along the Southwest border at certain times of the year in support the U.S. Border Initiative set forth by the Department of Homeland Security.

One of Blalock's favorite solutions to multiple video inputs is a 4-channel VDA (video distribution amplifier) from VAC (Boulder, CO). This "brick" is epoxy encapsulated, making it tough enough to hold up in severe environments ranging from deep sea to aerospace. One of the most dramatic examples of stability achieved from this embedded, or "potted," technology is the use of the VAC DA brick on A-10 Thunderbolt military aircraft behind a jarring 30mm nose-mounted cannon that fires at a blistering rate of up to 4,200 rounds per minute.

"We are primarily using these bricks in (Ecureuil) AS350 B2 and B3 helicopters," Blalock says. "But we're also getting ready to install them in some (De Havilland) Dash 8 aircraft to correct some video deficiencies we have with sensors."

While not punishing like the A-10 application, Blalock says his sensors require versatile and reliable video DAs. "Reliability is a must," he says "With this brick the rate of failures has been zero. I have never seen one fail yet, and we have been using them for several years."

He adds that in conjunction with work for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement he is planning to use VAC Bricks™ on police aircraft that are having problems with video deficiencies.

"This is sort of an adopted standard, Blalock says. "You know, if something works well, you stay with it."

In a land-based border protection application, Gary Warren, an engineer and consultant is working on a proposal for Columbine Cable Co., Inc. (CCCI) of Arvada, CO. A provider of advanced cable-based data communications and telecommunications solutions, CCCI has proposed the installation of a network of video cameras along the Southwest border. The cameras will mostly be located in remote areas, and fed back either wirelessly or via fiber or some other CCCI connection.

"The use of standard analog video recording equipment has been a stumbling block in border surveillance due to unpredictable mechanical failures of VCRs," Warren explains. "The CCCI proposal is to use digital recording equipment that will operate 100 percent of the time."

In addition to facing the expected environmental challenges, the proposed system also requires a non-traditional DA interface between the cameras and DVRs.

"We plan to use infrared cameras that are non-interlaced and record to DVRs that require a 2-to-1 interlace in order to record," Warren says. "But CCCI wants to be able to record all video images, whether they're photographed in infrared or normal imaging, and be able to record them all to a DVR."

Warren says the only supplier he knows of that can provide the DA brick to meet those requirements is VAC. "They have a very nice device that gives us the flexibility we need as well as the reliability, and this supplier has been very cooperative in working directly with us to make sure that we get the solution we need."

VAC offers over 300 video DA products and is the only manufacturer that offers a wide variety of features and options in a compact, mount-anywhere package. Popular sizes with up to 16 outputs are available and individual custom bricks can be built when needed. Because these bricks are epoxy encapsulated, there is no heat problem generated by the power source, which means that the bricks are not only rack-mountable, but may also be affixed to virtually any surface.

Well known for reliable noise reduction, these bricks are in wide use by the broadcast TV industry for use in various sports venues as well as TV studios. In addition, they are highly popular in a wide variety of military, aerospace and medical applications.

Also applicable to security recording systems, VAC manufactures audio switches that allow users to select one output from multiple line-level audio inputs, including both local and remote control capabilities. These switches also incorporate a Power Fail Bypass that operates as a failsafe mechanism to ensure that the highest priority signal is always available at the switch output.

VAC also manufactures video and audio switches, breakouts, black burst generators, and other products for video and audio professionals.

For more information, contact VAC, 2450 Central Avenue, Suite G Boulder, CO 80301; Phone: 800-821-0426 or 303-443-1319; Fax: 303-440-8878; E-mail: vac@vac-brick.com; visit the web site http://www.vac-brick.com

Philadelphia Police Officer Named 2006 Police Officer Of The Year

Officer Robert Wuller Receives Highest Honor in Law Enforcement for Heroic Action

Ten Additional Officers Honored for Outstanding Service

http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2006/edition_10-15-2006/Cop_of_the_Year

Fuji Announces New Infrared/Ultraviolet version of the S3 Digital Camera

http://www.fujifilmusa.com/JSP/fuji/epartners/proPhotoProductS3UVIR.jsp

Salient Stills Advances Video Forensics

BOSTON, MA, May 22, 2006 – Salient Stills, a leading video image enhancement software and services company, today debuted VideoFOCUS 2.0, dramatically improving the ability to easily capture and export digital video, work with proprietary video data formats from security systems, and print images directly. VideoFOCUS 2.0’s improved user interface also saves significant time and effort – critical for effective law enforcement and security. Using innovative image processing algorithms, Salient Stills’ imaging software remains unsurpassed in quickly processing still and video surveillance data into usable images, while preserving their integrity.

VideoFOCUS 2.0 imports an extensive range of digital video recorder file types including .MPG, .WMF and .ASF, and can export and export as .MOV, .AVI and .WMF, for viewing through QuickTime and Windows Media Player. Through seamless integration into VideoFOCUS 2.0, users can also capture video data directly from proprietary security system movie players, as the video is played.

“Customers are often frustrated with the complexity of other solutions. We actively solicited customer and prospective customer input and developed something they could easily deploy without extensive training – a powerful video forensics tool that anyone can use,” said Laura Teodosio, president and CTO of Salient Stills. “Through our innovative image processing tools and friendly user-interface, users can immediately start using the technology. This time-savings allows users to focus their time and energy on their investigation, which is often a critical factor in identifying suspects.”

The VideoFOCUS video analysis tool is widely used by local, state, national and international law enforcement agencies to capture and import, de-interlace, de-multiplex, quad separate, motion track and align, pinpoint field of interest, zoom, video edit, media manage and archive digital files into usable formats.

VideoFOCUS 2.0 is available now, with pricing starting at $8,000 from Salient Stills and a global network of resellers. For VideoFOCUS new users who want to take advantage of all the features and functionality in the video forensics tool, Salient Stills offers professional service training.

Founded in 1997, Salient Stills is a leading video image enhancement software and services company. From technology conceived at the MIT Media Lab, Salient Stills introduced its technology to answer the need for an efficient and effective video image enhancement solution. Today, VideoFOCUS is a video forensics solution in use by law enforcement, security and military and intelligence markets, and image enhancement solutions for media. For more information on Salient Stills visit http://www.salientstills.com/.

TracER Forensic Laser System

Low-cost, portable unit affords law enforcement agencies worldwide the power of lasers to recover trace evidence otherwise left undiscovered.

Santa Clara, Calif., April 19, 2006 – Coherent, Inc. (NASDAQ:COHR), a world leader in providing laser-based solutions to the commercial and scientific research markets, today announced the release of TracER™, a hand-portable, laser-based system designed to be the ultimate tool for trace evidence detection, particularly of latent prints.

TracER – which stands for Trace Evidence Recovery – is a highly cost-effective green output light source for use in crime labs and at crime scenes, as well as for covert and homeland security applications. It is a unique and powerful tool designed to recover trace evidence at crime scenes, including latent fingerprints that might otherwise go undiscovered when using traditional lamp-based systems.

Based on a 5-Watt green laser, TracER significantly lowers the barrier to laser use in forensics by delivering enhanced performance and ease of use in an economical, portable device. The TracER’s high intensity output enables it to perform a non-destructive crime-scene sweep with unprecedented efficiency; it can recover fingerprints and other trace evidence solely from inherent fluorescence. In addition, the 532 nm wavelength is ideal for use with fumed samples and fluorescent probes such as ninhydrin.

The compact, portable unit includes both battery and AC (110/240 V) operation, further enhancing its ease of use. While the TracER is comparable in size and price to systems that utilize an alternative light source, it offers 10X higher brightness. In addition, TracER includes a fiber-coupled multi-function hand piece, which incorporates power controls (e.g., on/off, output level) as well as optical zoom capabilities to optimize the size and intensity of the speckle-free illumination area.

Lasers have long been known to offer superior evidence recovery capabilities when compared to lamp-based systems. However, the high cost and lack of portability of traditional laser technology have limited lasers to a few well-funded crime labs. TracER leverages Coherent’s unique optically pumped semiconductor laser (OPSL) technology to deliver the advantages of laser illumination in a system that is approximately one third the cost and one quarter the weight of existing laser-based tools.

TracER is available now for $47,000 and can be purchased by calling 1-800-527-3786, or e-mailing tech.sales@coherent.com

Founded in 1966, Coherent, Inc. is a Standard & Poor's SmallCap 600 company and a world leader in providing laser-based solutions to the commercial and scientific research markets. For more information about Coherent, including product and financial updates, visit our Web site at http://www.Coherent.com

(SACRAMENTO) –The Senate Rules Committee today appointed former California Attorney General John K. Van de Kamp to lead the California Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice, a nonpartisan commission studying how to improve the state's criminal justice system.

The panel was established in 2004 by the Senate to examine flaws in the justice system that might lead to wrongful convictions and how to prevent them.

"I hope we can make sound, practical recommendations that will improve the justice system by ensuring we get more truth than we may get today,'' Van de Kamp said. "We will look at removing some of the factors that have tended to produce error, mistake and injustice."

Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland), Chairman of the Rules Committee, applauded the appointment.

"John Van de Kamp spent years as California's top law enforcement officer. He will bring energy, thoughtfulness and balance to the important work of this commission," Perata said. "The Senate is grateful to Mr. Van de Kamp for once again taking on the challenges of public service in this key post."

A graduate of Stanford Law School, Van de Kamp was the Central District's U.S. Attorney and in 1975 became Los Angeles County District Attorney before winning election as California's 28th Attorney General in 1982.

During his eight years in office, Van de Kamp pushed California to the vanguard of law enforcement technology with the use of computerized fingerprints and the commencement of the use of DNA. He also established Commissions on Enforcement of Child Abuse Laws, Prevention of Drug and Alcohol Abuse and Racial, Ethnic, Religious and Minority Violence. He created the Public Rights Division, which dramatically expanded the state's law enforcement efforts to protect consumers and the environment and enforce anti-trust and civil rights laws.

Since 1991, Van de Kamp has worked with Dewey Ballantine, LLP in Los Angeles where he now holds the position "Of Counsel." In 2004-05 he was President of the State Bar of California. A long time Director of the Planning and Conservation League, he became its President in late 2005.

Van de Kamp said the Commission has scheduled three meetings between February 8 and March 15 and intends to produce periodic reports.

"What we are doing is studying the reasons for wrongful convictions and making recommendations that will address those problems," Van de Kamp said. "We want to do something that people are going to pay attention to on both sides of the aisle."

The commission, with 15 members and an executive director, is privately funded. Committee members receive reimbursements for travel expenses. It is expected that the Commission will be expanded in the next month to include additional members from the California law enforcement community.

Nebraska Wesleyan to Offer One of Only Thirteen Master of Forensic Science Programs in Nation

LINCOLN, Neb.—Nebraska Wesleyan University is proud to announce its second master’s program, the Master of Forensic Science (MFS) program. Initial courses will be offered beginning in the fall 2001 semester. The Master of Forensic Science program is an extension of the University’s successful certificate program in forensic science.

The program is one of only thirteen in the United States, and the only program of its kind in Nebraska. The closest programs are located as far away as Oklahoma and Chicago. Unlike other programs, this multidisciplinary graduate program will allow professionals to work full-time while taking courses to obtain an advanced degree on Friday evening and Saturday. The program will take just over two years to complete. The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools has accredited Wesleyan’s MFS program.

Specific courses to be offered include Death Scene Archaeology—studying remote sensing techniques used to locate burials; DNA Testing—examining basic principles underlying the methods used to analyze DNA (Restriction Fragment Length and Polymorphism and Polymerase Chain Reaction tests will be demonstrated.); Hair/Fiber Analysis—exploring the potential evidentiary value of various types of trace evidence (hair, fiber, etc.); Fire Debris Analysis; Drug Analysis; Behavior Profiling—providing students with a combined theoretical and practical approach to criminal profiling including the paradigm used by the FBI; Criminal Law; Document Analysis; and Serial Offenders and Personality—focusing on the repeat offender, most notably the serial murderer.

Wesleyan’s MFS degree is designed to provide participants with knowledge relating to the investigation of violent crime. The curriculum offers students a choice between three tracks: forensic psychology, forensic biology/chemistry and general forensics. The 39-credit hour program will include hands-on instruction provided by numerous experts in the area of forensic science.

Dr. Jody Meerdink, associate professor of psychology, has been appointed director of the program. Meerdink is a member of the Academy of Behavioral Profiling and has completed numerous training courses including courses in medicolegal death investigation and crime scene reconstruction (Lincoln Police Department). She has also completed two specialized internships with the Allegheny County Coroners Office in Pittsburgh, Penn.

Dr. Matthais Okoye, board certified forensic pathologist, attorney and toxicologist, and director of autopsy and forensic pathology at Pathology Medical Services, PC in Lincoln, is credited for initiating the program at Nebraska Wesleyan University. Formerly chief medical examiner for the District of Columbia and associate professor at Georgetown and George Washington Universities, Dr. Okoye has published and lectured extensively on forensic pathology, legal medicine and toxicology.

Sgt. Larry Barksdale, supervisor for the Lincoln Police Department’s crime scene technical unit and case manager of the criminal investigations team, will also introduce students to numerous new techniques in forensic technology. Barksdale will take on the role of adjunct professor. He has been involved in law enforcement for over 30 years.

The general public has been made aware of many new forensic techniques in CBS’s popular series, Crime Scene Investigation (C.S.I.). Students in the Master of Forensic Science Program will study some of the same procedures demonstrated on the program such as: static print recovery, grave excavation and skeletal analysis, blood spatter analysis and traffic collision investigation. Students will also have a chance to interact with "Jake the Wonder Dog." Jake is known as Lincoln’s "cadaver dog"–specifically trained to locate burials and hidden bodies.

"This program is an excellent fit for Nebraska Wesleyan," says Meerdink. "It will build on the reputation in forensic science that we have developed with our certificate program. We developed this reputation by providing faculty members who are experienced in the field of forensic science; a challenging academic program that is designed for working professionals; and top-notch facilities and support for students. Everything we do in our MFS program will reflect this same commitment to quality."