Case study: using infrared technology for evidentiary purposes

Noel D. Jolivet; Joel Hansen; John Lester Miller; Rico Beniga; Rich Austria

doi:10.1117/12.2057499

24 June 2014 Case study: using infrared technology for evidentiary purposes

Noel D. Jolivet, Joel Hansen, John Lester Miller, Rico Beniga, Rich Austria

Proceedings Volume 9070, Infrared Technology and Applications XL; 90700N (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2057499
Event: SPIE Defense + Security, 2014, Baltimore, MD, United States

Abstract

Infrared technology and imaging systems are already used extensively by the law enforcement (LE) community, typically to gain a tactical advantage or obtain immediate situational awareness. As the use of infrared technology becomes more affordable and widespread, LE is finding new ways to use it and leverage the results in the courtroom as evidence. A case study will be presented where infrared imagery was used to support the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) in prosecuting an individual for a crime where a conviction might not have been assured without said imagery. Tests conducted at FLIR Systems, combined with expert witness testimony by a FLIR employee, helped a jury understand the significance of a key piece of infrared evidence, resulting in a conviction of the criminal. This case was the first Federal case of its kind where infrared imagery was used forensically as evidence and, as such, established precedence. Prior to this, infrared imagery has been offered and debated in court only as to whether it constitutes a legal search. Courtroom observations and lessons learned from this trial have shown that both industry and LE can do a better job of making the prosecution’s cases stronger utilizing infrared technology and thus taking criminals off the street.

Citation Download Citation

Noel D. Jolivet, Joel Hansen, John Lester Miller, Rico Beniga, and Rich Austria "Case study: using infrared technology for evidentiary purposes", Proc. SPIE 9070, Infrared Technology and Applications XL, 90700N (24 June 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2057499

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available