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On December 8, 2009 North Carolina State University (NCSU) held the 2nd NCSU Forensic Science Symposium.  If you weren't able to make the symposium NCSU has made many of the presentations available online, to include both the slides and a video recording of the event.

Be sure to check out "Image Processing of Forensic Evidence", presented by Dr. John Russ, Emeritus Professor: Material Science & Engineering, NCSU - click here to view the complete presentation.

The first devices that take advantage of the new standard's 10Gbps data-transfer speed should arrive in 2014. Too bad for Thunderbolt.

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Upcoming CS6 versions of Adobe's flagship video software change significantly, with a streamlined interface for Premiere Pro and performance improvements for After Effects.

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I've used everything from freeware tools to high-end encoders to accomplish various audio & video trans-coding tasks over the last 15 years or so, and when time permits, I love testing out new tools.  Recently, when installing software on to a new PC, I decided to try another low-cost solution that's been around for quite some time, but I've never used; AVS Video Converter.

I swung by a national discount department store the other day, and while walking through their electronics department strolled down an entire aisle of cordless phones on display. Interestingly enough I notice this enormous sign above the aisle that read "900 MHz Good - 2.4 GHz Better - 5.8 GHz Best".

I suppose I really shouldn't be surprised by blatant lies in marketing messages anymore, but this one got to me for some reason. So I thought I'd poke around on the Web to see what the manufacturers themselves were saying, and to my surprise found that they're probably the source of this marketing ploy.

The Western New York RCFL, US Attorney's Office, NY Attorney General and various other entities are sponsoring a one-day seminar entitled "Search & Seizure of Digital Evidence", to be held on March 31, 2009 at the SUNY Buffalo North Campus Center for Tomorrow.  See attached PDF for details.

But I've damn sure known quite a few. Worked with many. Met more than most even, I dare say.

I recently published my autobiography, on a special day with a special significance. It was time to share it with my son, first and foremost, but also to put the pieces together for a few others that truly care.

I am extremely fortunate, despite some sad parts to my long, yet actually very abridged story. Maybe not despite them though, right?

Maybe because pushing through troubles and mistakes, and trying really hard to always do the right thing...even when nobody's around or looking...has made me who I am.

A very proud husband & father. Very comfortable in my skin, because I know what my intentions have always been, and that my best is good enough.

We are all works in progress, my friends.

If something in my story has offended you, even if it's just the way I've told it, I understand.

I'm a very understanding guy. 

Either way, do yourself and everyone around you a favor, and make it a great day my friends!

Ubuntu 10.10, or "Maverick Meerkat," is just one step away from its final version, thanks to the release on Thursday of the Linux software's official Release Candidate.

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"Who designed this user interface, Stevie Wonder?" Actual statement from a LE technician and point well taken when it comes to proprietary DCCTV players. They're often horribly designed, and like all multimedia players/editors/tools regardless of who makes them, they are time & resource dependent (e.g. hardware resources, drivers, frameworks, codecs, etc.).

Members can now upload videos directly to our server via the Media-Geek.com Video Library! As you may know the video library supports over 30 of the most popular video sharing sites, and now also supports direct upload of FLV, MPG, WMV, AVI, MP3 and SWF files. At present uploaded files will be stored and played back in the format uploaded; however, at some point we intend to implement ffmpeg on our server and automatically convert all uploaded files to the FLV format.

Adding videos to the library via a free online video hosting/sharing site (e.g. Google video, YouTube, etc...) is still the preferred method of including your videos in our library, as there are some limitations with direct upload such as a maximum file size of 8MB. With that said, there are also limitations with all of the video hosting/sharing sites, so I'm sure the ability to upload short videos directly will prove beneficial. 😎

Magnet Forensics launched the evolution of DVR Examiner today, Magnet WITNESS.  WITNESS includes all of the capabilities of DVR Examiner plus many new features, essentially creating a single solution to acquire, review, analyze and report on all of the video evidence from your case, regardless of source.  Proprietary DCCTV systems and files, cloud CCTV sources such as Ring & Arlo, MP4 & AVI exports from other sources such as in-car and body worn systems.

Unlike DVR Examiner, WITNESS includes the ability to create sub-clips, create synchronized previews, convert proprietary DCCTV files and more.  Learn more at https://www.magnetforensics.com/products/magnet-witness/

Hitachi is not the first storage vendor to bring a 3TB drive to market. However, it is the first to introduce an internal 3TB drive reliable enough for hardcore business use.

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LEVA recently announced that the New York State Police will be hosting their Photographic/Video Comparison course in Albany, NY April 4th through the 8th.

Photographic/Video Comparisons focuses on the science of comparing known objects, vehicles, clothing and humans with CCTV images of questioned objects, vehicles, clothing and humans. The process of cataloguing class characteristics and unique characteristics found in questioned evidence is examined in detail. Using Adobe Photoshop and other generally accepted scientific tools for imaging comparison work,analysts/examiners develop a scientific workflow involving the hands-on analysis of video evidence, criminal-case report writing and courtroom presentation.

Complete details and application forms are available via the LEVA website.