Media forensics: Restorative-based clarification versus judgment based enhancement: History, science and emerging technologies

2^nd International Conference on Forensic Research and Technology

October 07-09, 2013 Hampton Inn Tropicana, Las Vegas, NV, USA

Doug Carner

WorkShop: J Forensic Res

Abstract :

When evidence is open to interpretation, fact can become fiction. Since its inception, audio and video enhancement has been achieved through a series of destructive user-defined modifications to prior recordings. Noise becomes averaged into usable data and details are increased through estimation. Such judgment-based changes commonly result in courtroom challenges. Alternatively, clarification uses adaptive automation to efficiently suppress noise and improve clarity without inventing or destroying data. Clarification results are extremely accurate and consistent to a single truth, thus reducing the demand for experts to defend their work through testimony. Video clarification can recover a blurry license plate, brighten a dark scene, restore VHS tapes, and aid in facial identity matching. Audio clarification and enhancement can isolate human speech, suppress distracting sounds and facilitate voice identification.

Biography :

Doug Carner is an audio-video enhancement and authentication expert. He is the President and lead technologist of Forensic Protection, and is board certified by the American College of Forensic Examiners and the American Society for Industrial Security. He is a Phi-Beta-Kappa graduate of U.C. Davis, trained in media forensic sciences, and factory trained on leading recording systems. He is an active member of the International Association for Identification and the International Association for Legal Research Investigators. He has processed evidence in over a thousand cases with results that have been featured in the national news, and accepted by courts and agencies worldwide. His recent high-profile cases include ?George Zimmerman ? Trayvon Martin?, ?Mathew Clark?, ?Abdul Arian?, and previously unsolved crimes around the world. He has been featured on "KFI radio news", "PI's Declassified", and as an expert on the " Phil" show. His writings have been published in "The Jury Expert - American Society of Trial Consultants", "Homeland Security News Wire" and "Security Info Watch". He has pioneered industry innovations and is an avid advocate for Clarification, the new science-based alternative to judgment-based enhancements. He routinely donates his time to innocence projects, indigent clients, and as an educational speaker. He is a frequent lecturer on how to determine if audio-video discovery files are altered copies, how audiovideo files are enhanced and authenticated, and effective methods to get opposing counsel's media exhibits and experts excluded. He has received both prosecution and defense praise for his detailed work that results in an exceptionally high rate of pretrial case dismissal or settlement.