Page 3 - Photos_to_Presentations-AFI-LLC_April_2023

From Photos to Presentations – AFI-LLC – April 2023 3 of 7

uncompressed). If a JPEG is placed in a PDF, PPT or other – details are lost. Email sending and receiving will compress
files. These manners of sending are okay for cursory reviews, where detail is not important and the overall image
context is. It is best to have the habit of using full digital copy and transfer.

Some time ago Dean testified and was presented an image projected to a large screen in a PPT – something now very
common in courtroom testimony. The projection – not direct to a TV or monitor – lost detail (enlarging in any format
often does). The projection was so close to the witness stand the image was pixelated to the human eye. The image was
a series of stab wounds – sharp points, flat edges, and directions. When asked about the image, Dean first noted the
image was difficult to note for the details the question required. The prosecutor inquired for specifics, and the defense
attorney was allowed to offer suggestions – the first being to refer to the Dean’s report specifying the image. This was
not only important to accurate testimony, it was more important for the jury to accurately see the details of interest in
the testimony. Projecting to a screen is less common, and direct to a TV or monitor is – and is the same as doing so as
part of the review and analysis process. This issue was the same 20 and 30 years ago with print images, then enlarged –
and distorted. With today’s digital technology – ever advancing – these issues are going away.

What about being presented images in PDF or PPT to review and analyze? The same issues exist. Which requesting
discovery and disclosure – an exact copy must be provided. In a post-conviction relief case, our agency was presented
with the trial attorneys’ files – defense and prosecution (as used in trial). The images were PDF embedded into PPT – the
worst scenario because PDFs are compressed and converted JPEGs, and PPTs further compress the image. If these
images are extracted from a PDF or PPT to examine – more detail is lost. Thousands of pixels of resolution (about 70%
per conversion) were lost. The images were of a physical assault. In the original trial there was testimony of a handprint
visible on the skin surface – but all the exhibits at trial did not have this detail. The three witnesses who testified – one
who took photographs, one who did a medical examination, and a responding officer, all testified they saw the
handprint. They also testified there were other marks on other parts of the body showing other serious injuries. It took
several weeks for the legal team to be provide exact copies of the original image files and examine them. In the originals
the handprint was clearly seen. However, had there be expert testimony by the defense to those presented at trial – the
detail was not there and did not reflect the other testimony. Also in the originals, the additional injury areas were
examined and found to not be from an instrument, but were instead from the victim’s clothing leaving marks commonly
seen. These details and findings were important, and did (in part) result in post-conviction relief being affirmed.

Some videos and images do not need the detail – if surveillance video is to only show activity, enlarging or zoom details
may not be necessary. If images are to show general areas and information, details are not necessary. Our agency, and
any involved in criminal or civil litigation of injuries, property damage, etc. do need details. It is the same as sending over
blurry or out of focus images when focused details are needed. Higher resolution is important to enlarging – for analysis
or print. The reason for copies of originals, in their original name and format, is not only for the details of the image, also
for the details of the metadata – the EXIF data. This information tells if there were any alterations, any deleted images,
etc. Renamed images are fine – if accompanied by the original images with original file names.

We hope this information helps you in your investigations and litigation support. Request all recordings – not just what a
client or adverse party determines are important. Request them in their original format – file names and file types – not
renamed, not converted, not embedded. Do not accept printed – or worse – photocopies of prints; and even worse –
black and white photocopies of color images. Yes, we’ve had these. Finally, request all related records and reports for
the recordings; and for all recordings request the related records and reports. Every details is based on context.

PS - what of the casaba melon in the movie? It was for the sound of stabbing. Facts and Forensics Factoids!

PRIDE – Professional Reliable Investigators Defining Excellence!
Thank You!

Copyright © 2023 Associates in Forensic Investigations, All Rights Reserved