Question about security camera accuracy.

[harmonica]

I work in a building and once in a while I've had to give the tapes to some cops when there has been a robbery. But whenever we put up pictures of who to watch out for, the pics are so pixilated you cannot tell who it is. As well as the tapes being pixilated too when you play them. Do the cops have the technology to sharpen the image or do they just have to work with a tape where they can't tell who the perp is?

Another thing is I saw a documentary court show where lawyers showed the jury the footage from a police sting, in order to prove the defendant guilty to the jurors. On this tape as well, the quality was so poor, that the jurors wouldn't be able to tell who was on it. So do the tapes from police stings and security cameras prove much in court, or lead to many arrests, with such poor quality that you can't see the faces?

[pac201]

okay, first question, usually no; the problem is that most places either have a cheap camera and/or cheap tapes...if it is digital it needs to be set at the highest quality possible, if it is vhs, set to record for the 2 hours instead of 6. If it is vhs, buy good tape. If digital, maybe an upgrade on the camera-and again highest quality recording.
# 2, if the quality is so poor the prosecutor probably won't try to use it.

[retdetsgt]

They can be useful in ruling out a suspect sometimes.

[scott715us]

I'm not sure what type of system you have. When I worked loss prevention 10 - 15 years ago, even with VHS systems I could zoom in close enough to see a zit on your face in color. The cameras nowadays have come along way with hard drive systems where a disc isn't even necessary unless you want to burn footage on it (or a flash drive). It all depends on what can (and can't) be seen. More importantly, simple things like race, sex, and time person was seen can help establish a time frame and help collaborate other evidence.

[harmonica]

I'm not sure what system it is, I just know how to turn it off on on. But in lots of footage of real court cases on documentary TV, it's impossible to tell and they still use the footage. The juries have returned with guilty verdicts on the shows I've seen, which means when they put it on TV they camera footage sucks and is actually better in court, or they just like to give guilty verdicts regardless of being able to tell.

And the ones at my work I can't tell anything. My boss printed out a pic and showed it to everyone saying look out for this man. The face was so blurry I we all agreed it was impossible to tell, and it's the third person we were told to watch out for.

[missouricop]

We use the video alot just to show something happened, lets say an assault took place and the assaulter admits to being there at that time but says he didnt hit anyone but the video shows (in a grainy undecifering way)
that someone of the same build, sex and race possibly wearing the same clothing did hit someone in the back of the head. If nothing else it can be used to work on getting a confession.

[harmonica]

Okay something happened. There was another robbery where I work and I think the person on the tape is someone I know. I can't tell though because of the pixelation but it when I saw the pick I thought it was her. Should I tell them and say I'm not sure? I guess nothing will happen then if the camera can't tell.

[scott715us]

Okay something happened. There was another robbery where I work and I think the person on the tape is someone I know. I can't tell though because of the pixelation but it when I saw the pick I thought it was her. Should I tell them and say I'm not sure? I guess nothing will happen then if the camera can't tell.

You think someone you know is possibly involved in a robbery and you're asking us whether you should inform the investigating officers? Ummm...yea.

[harmonica]

I guess but then if it goes to court I will have to testify that I can't tell since the camera quality sucks. So it wouldn't mean anything the end if they can't find the stolen merchandise. I'm also afraid that if I said that in court my boss will be very disappointed.

[Safety Steve]

I guess but then if it goes to court I will have to testify that I can't tell since the camera quality sucks. So it wouldn't mean anything the end if they can't find the stolen merchandise. I'm also afraid that if I said that in court my boss will be very disappointed.

Giving a lead to the police is not testifying to it. You would just be telling them it looks alot like someone you know. Quit trying to play police and give your information to the real police and let them work their magic! Need to asap before someone gets hurt!


Be Safe.

[harmonica]

K I'll do it when I get back from vacation. Just hope it makes a difference since there is no way to be sure.