Determination of Vehicle Speed from Recorded Video Using Reverse Projection Photogrammetry and File Metadata

The prevalence of security and in‐car video has increased the number of motor vehicle accidents captured on digital video. However, inconsistencies in how to accurately determine time and distance for vehicle speed has led to examinations with varying results. A potential solution for calculating time intervals is to use frame timing contained within many digital video file's metadata, recorded with 0.000001 sec precision. This paper examines a fatal motor vehicle accident where frame timing information was used with distance measurements from reverse projection photogrammetry to calculate vehicle speed. A margin of error was then calculated based on the accuracy in performing reverse projection photogrammetry distance measurements. The resulting speed calculation was then compared to event data recorder data and found to be within an average of ±1.43538 MPH. Using specific time intervals may lead investigators to more accurate speed calculations, specifically those involving variable frame rate video.     

Determination of vehicle speed from recorded video using the open-source software Kinovea

Video devices of different kind often record traffic accidents, including vehicle-pedestrian collisions and hit-and-run accidents. In these cases, the vehicle speed is valuable information because it can assist the investigators in an accident reconstruction. This paper examines the use of Kinovea, an open-source video annotation tool designed for sport analysis, to estimate vehicle speed in forensic videos. Kinovea does not require a complex methodology, and it can be used to make the calculation easily. A series of vehicle driving experiments using an appropriately calibrated speed radar system (so called Scout Speed) were carried out, and measurements were compared with the estimated speed. In controlled conditions, the comparison of Scout reference speed and calculated average vehicle speed by means of Kinovea found an average difference of 0.43 km/h, with a margin of error of ±0.64 km/h. In addition, further preliminary tests were carried out to check the reliability of the measurements under lower resolution conditions. Also, in these cases the calculations were in line with the ground truth. Therefore, in the tested conditions, Kinovea demonstrated to be an easy and reliable tool available for forensic video examiners. Further tests need to be conducted in order to address the applicability of the measurement technique with true CCTV/surveillance video recordings.     

视频方法鉴定车速的准确性研究

目的通过实验研究用视频方法鉴定车速结果的准确性及其影响因素。方法在选定的实验场地上,让实验车辆以一定速度匀速通过一段距离,使用高空、垂直、斜角和车载四个位置的摄像机同时录制,将车速计算结果进行比较。结果理论和实验数据分析表明,误差的大小主要取决于:车速和帧速率,车体上参考点和路上参考点的对齐效果,还有行车距离的大小和播放器屏幕的大小等。结论用视频方法进行车速鉴定,相对于传统的用力学公式进行计算,其准确性和可信度较好;一般条件下,误差可在5%~10%之间估算;夜晚条件下,可在车灯的轮廓线上选择车体上参考点,炫目情况除外。     

基于视频的车速鉴定方法

视频监控设备的广泛应用为各类案件的侦破及取证提供了重要线索。利用高质量视频图像进行近景摄影测量、运动物体识别及跟踪的方法和技术已经较为成熟,但利用广角、低像素的视频监控录像定量描述车辆行驶速度的技术研究尚未开展。针对交通事故技术鉴定的实际需求,根据速度的一般计算方法和计算机视觉的基本原理,提出可以应用目前广泛使用的公共视频监控设备所拍摄的录像进行车辆速度计算的方法。     

Photogrammetry vs CT Scan: Evaluation of Accuracy of a Low-Cost Three-Dimensional Acquisition Method for Forensic Facial Approximation

Photogrammetry is a three-dimensional acquisition method potentially applicable to the forensic field. This possibility requires the verification of its accuracy. In this study, 3D volumes of skulls are generated to compare the photogrammetry versus the CT scan. In order to provide eligible material to the photogrammetric software, photographs were captured at a distance of 30 cm from the skull placed on a support 1 m in height and illuminated with diffused laboratory ceiling artificial light. A Nikon Coolpix P7100 camera was used. Photographs capture common elements with the previous and the next photograph so as to allow the photogrammetric software to recognize these common points between photographs and create a 3D puzzle. The Zephyr Lite (3DFlow©) software was employed to register the 3D volume. CT-based skulls are taken as a metric reference. The photogrammetry-based skulls are then enlarged according to the measurements of some landmarks or Zygion and Zygion, the distance between end of nasal and base of nasal pyramid for frontal projection, and minimum breadth of the mandibular ramus for the right lateral projection. The accuracy of the photogrammetry is compared to that of the CT scan by measuring the 3D volumes of the skulls studied. Specific landmarks are used as reference points for the measures in both frontal and lateral views. Bland–Altman graph shows homogeneity. The mean difference (1.28 mm) indicates that the measurements taken on the photogrammetry-based skull tend to slightly overestimate compared with the measurements taken on the CT-based skull.     

Simulation-based reconstruction of traffic incidents from moving vehicle mono-camera

Video recordings from digital cameras implemented in road vehicles present a valuable source of data concerning various dangerous traffic situations, i.e., road accidents or near-miss incidents. This data is readily available and numerous methods for forensic reconstruction of traffic situations from vehicle video were presented in the past. New alternative method for reconstruction of traffic situations from vehicle video is presented in this article. The method is based on the fusion of kinetic vehicle trajectory simulation within 3D laser scanner point cloud, projective geometry, and processing of video footage from moving vehicle camera. The method offers accurate reconstruction of general vehicle motion within relevant time domain whereby in-depth technical information about traffic incident can be quantitatively extracted from video footage. The result is physics-based 3D projection of simulated vehicle motion on the motion of real vehicle recorded by moving monocular camera. The method was validated within performed experimental test runs with respect to vehicle speed, distance travelled, acceleration/deceleration and directional quantities (yaw rate, yaw angle). The method was further applied in the reconstruction of real-world traffic events.     

Measurement Uncertainty When Estimating the Velocity of an Allegedly Speeding Vehicle from Images

Abstract: Sometimes the question arises whether it is possible to estimate the velocity of a speeding car recorded by closed circuit television cameras. By estimating the travelled distance of the car between two images and the time elapsed, estimation of the velocity is rather straightforward. However, to quantify the corresponding measurement uncertainty, the data analysis becomes more involved. The article describes two approaches as to how to derive the measurement uncertainty. In the first method, distance and timing are estimated separately, and the two uncertainties are combined to derive the measurement uncertainty for the velocity. For this, a frequentist and a Bayesian approach are described. In the second method, the measurement uncertainty for the speed is derived directly using validation recordings of a car driving by at known speed. The choice which method to use depends mainly on the length of the path that the car has travelled.     

监控视频中车辆平均速度测算方法比较

根据车辆速度计算公式,提出了两种基于监控视频测速的思路。一是视频图像与实地测量相结合,车辆运动距离通过与监控画面匹配后实地测量,运动时间通过视频帧率运算分别获得。二是利用车辆技术参数测量,在视频图像中,车身前后明显部位经过同一点,车辆运动距离和时间分别通过被测车型技术参数、视频帧率运算获得。并通过实验结果对两种方法进行评价。     

Analyzing the Dynamics and Morphology of Cast‐off Pattern at Different Speed Levels Using High‐speed Digital Video Imaging

During a bloodstain pattern analysis, one of the essential tasks is to distinguish between different kinds of applied forces as well as to estimate their level of intensity. In this study, high‐speed digital imaging has been used to analyze the formation of cast‐off patterns generated by a simulated backswing with a blood‐bearing object. For this purpose, 0.5 mL blood was applied evenly over the last 5 cm of a blade simulant. Bloodstains were created through the controlled acceleration of a backswing at different speed levels between 1.1 m/sec and 3.8 m/sec. The flight dynamics of blood droplets were captured with an Olympus^® i‐Speed 3 high‐speed digital camera with a Nikon^® AF Nikkor 50 mm f/1.8 D lens and analyzed using the Olympus i‐Speed 3 Viewer software. The video analysis showed that, during the backswing, blood droplets would move toward the lower end of the knifepoint and would be tangentially thrown off. These droplets impacted on the horizontal surface according to the arc of the swing. An increase in velocity led to longer cast‐off patterns with distinct morphological characteristics. Under laboratory conditions, bloodstain pattern analysis allows certain conclusions about the intensity of a backswing and provides instructions on the position of the offender. However, due to the number of unknown variables at a crime scene, such interpretation of cast‐off patterns is extremely limited and should be performed with extreme caution.     

道路交通事故速度重建技术现状

事故车辆行驶速度是道路交通事故调查的重要内容,也是公安交通管理部门进行事故认定,法院进行司法审判的关键技术依据。目前事故车辆行驶速度调查的主要途径是办案单位委托具有专业技术能力的司法鉴定机构进行速度重建,使用的方法主要有基于事故形态的速度重建、基于模拟软件的速度重建、基于车载记录数据的速度重建和基于视频图像的速度重建。通过从速度重建的技术发展、执业类别和能力验证等方面介绍了我国道路交通事故速度重建技术的发展现状。     

Individual Camera Identification Using Correlation of Fixed Pattern Noise in Image Sensors

Abstract:  This paper presents results of experiments related to individual video camera identification using a correlation coefficient of fixed pattern noise (FPN) in image sensors. Five color charge-coupled device (CCD) modules of the same brand were examined. Images were captured using a 12-bit monochrome video capture board and stored in a personal computer. For each module, 100 frames were captured. They were integrated to obtain FPN. The results show that a specific CCD module was distinguished among the five modules by analyzing the normalized correlation coefficient. The temporal change of the correlation coefficient during several days had only a negligible effect on identifying the modules. Furthermore, a positive relation was found between the correlation coefficient of the same modules and the number of frames that were used for image integration. Consequently, precise individual camera identification is enhanced by acquisition of as many frames as possible.     

体表损伤与瘢痕的三维测量方法应用评估

目的检验结构光三维扫描法和单相机摄影测量法这两种三维测量方法在法医学体表损伤与瘢痕测量中的准确性和可靠性。方法对比分析直尺法、结构光三维扫描法和单相机摄影测量法对86处尸体损伤的测量结果;对比分析结构光三维扫描法、单相机摄影测量法、Photoshop套索像素法、PDF阅读软件法对13处活体模拟块状瘢痕面积的测量结果,并记录所耗时间;以贴纸的已知规格信息作为标准值,比较直尺法、结构光三维扫描法和单相机摄影测量法的测量准确度,计算均方根误差(root mean square error,RMSE);对不同操作者和同一操作者前后3次测量结果的可重复性进行组内相关系数(intraclass correla⁃tion coefficient,ICC)一致性评价。结果两种三维测量方法与直尺法在尸体损伤上测得的结果差异无统计学意义;结构光三维扫描法、单相机摄影测量法、PDF阅读软件法的测量结果和Photoshop套索像素法相比差异无统计学意义,单相机摄影测量法后处理耗时长于其他方法;直尺法测量长距离组(10~40cm)时结果小于标准值,RMSE值结果为结构光三维扫描法<单相机摄影测量法<直尺法;组内和组间的ICC值均大于0.99。结论结构光三维扫描法和单相机摄影测量法均可应用于法医学体表损伤的记录和测量,前者在测量精度及稳定性上表现更优,后者的数据色彩还原度更好,但后处理耗时较长。     

Forensic integrity verification of video recordings based on MTS files

Digital video is used in criminal trials as evidence with legal responsibility because video content vividly depicts events occurring at a crime scene. However, using sophisticated video editing software, assailants can easily manipulate visible clues for their own benefit. Therefore, the integrity of digital video files acquired or submitted as evidence must be ensured. Forensic analysis of digital video is key to ensuring the integrity of links with individual cameras. In this study, we analyzed whether it is possible to ensure the integrity of MTS video files. Herein, we propose a method to verify the integrity of MTS files encoded by advanced video coding high definition (AVCHD), which is frequently used for video recording. To verify MTS file integrity, we propose five features. Codec information, picture timing, and camera manufacture/model are modified AVI and MP4-like format video verification features. Group of pictures and Universally Unique Identifier patterns were specifically developed for MTS streams. We analyzed the features of 44 standard files recorded using all recording options of seven cameras. We checked whether integrity can be validated on unmanipulated videos recorded in various environments. In addition, we considered whether manipulated MTS files edited in video editing software could be validated. Experimental results show that all unmanipulated and manipulated MTS files with known recording devices were discriminated only when all five features were checked. These results show that the proposed method verifies the integrity of MTS files, strengthening the validity of MTS file-based evidence in trials.     

Forensic Terrestrial Photogrammetry from a Single Image

Abstract:  Forensic terrestrial photogrammetry is one of the most valuable and low-cost resources of spatial data available today. Due to the ephemeral crime scene characteristics, these photographs can often capture information that is never to be seen again. This paper presents a novelty approach for the documentation, analysis, and visualization of crime scenes for which only a single perspective image is available. The photogrammetric process consists of a few well-known steps in close-range photogrammetry: features extraction, vanishing points computation, camera self-calibration, 3D metric reconstruction, dimensional analysis, and interactive visualization. Likewise, the method incorporates a quality control of the different steps accomplished sequentially. As a result, several cases of study are presented in the experimental results section in order to test their viability. The full approach can be applied easily through the free software, sv3DVision, which has been evaluated by a number of police officers, forensic scientists, and forensic educators satisfactorily.     

交通事故中车辆安全技术状况检验及典型案例车速计算

目的 针对导致交通事故的各种原因就车辆因素进行了较详细的分析.方法 对进行车辆技术状况检验的着手方面、要点做了相关分析并结合相关实例进行举例分析,对造成事故中的关键因素车速的计算及计算方法做了简要讨论.结果 总结了进行整车配置、制动系统、转向系统、汽车灯光与信号系统与轮胎检验时需注意的要点.根据车速计算方法,得出一起追尾事故中某货车在事发时未达到高速公路最低限速的鉴定结论.结论 进行车辆安全技术状况检验时,需注意相关要点,以尽量避免道路交通事故的发生.     

Authentication of Surveillance Videos: Detecting Frame Duplication Based on Residual Frame

Nowadays, surveillance systems are used to control crimes. Therefore, the authenticity of digital video increases the accuracy of deciding to admit the digital video as legal evidence or not. Inter‐frame duplication forgery is the most common type of video forgery methods. However, many existing methods have been proposed for detecting this type of forgery and these methods require high computational time and impractical. In this study, we propose an efficient inter‐frame duplication detection algorithm based on standard deviation of residual frames. Standard deviation of residual frame is applied to select some frames and ignore others, which represent a static scene. Then, the entropy of discrete cosine transform coefficients is calculated for each selected residual frame to represent its discriminating feature. Duplicated frames are then detected exactly using subsequence feature analysis. The experimental results demonstrated that the proposed method is effective to identify inter‐frame duplication forgery with localization and acceptable running time.     

Photogrammetric Documentation of Regions of Interest at Autopsy—A Pilot Study

In this pilot study, the authors tested whether photogrammetry can replace or supplement physical measurements made during autopsies and, based on such measurements, whether virtual computer models may be applicable in forensic reconstructions. Photogrammetric and physical measurements of markers denoting wounds on five volunteers were compared. Virtual models of the volunteers were made, and the precision of the markers' locations on the models was tested. Twelve of 13 mean differences between photogrammetric and physical measurements were below 1 cm, which indicates that the photogrammetric method has a high accuracy. The precision of the markers' location on the models was somewhat less, although the method is still promising and potentially superior to the current procedures used for reconstructions. The possibility to measure any distance on a body, even after the autopsy is concluded and the corpse is no longer available, is one of the biggest benefits of photogrammetry.     

An innovative method for human height estimation combining video images and 3D laser scanning

Digitalization has increased the number of video surveillance systems that sometimes capture crime images. Traditional methods of human height estimation use projective geometry. However, sometimes they cannot be used because the video camera surveillance system is not available or has been moved and there are no reference lines on the frame. Scientific studies have developed a new method for human height estimation using 3D laser scanning. This model necessarily requires a series of approximations, which increase the final measurement error. To overcome this problem, in the present study, images of a subject are projected directly on the 3D model, estimating the height of the subject. This article describes the methodological approach adopted through the analysis of a real case study in a controlled environment executed by Carabinieri Forensic Investigation Department (Italy). The aim is to obtain a human anthropometric measure derived from frames extracted from the videos associated with the digital survey of the framed area obtained with 3D laser scanning and point cloud analysis. The result is the height estimation of five subjects filmed by a camera obtained through the combination of 2D images extracted by a DVR/surveillance systems with 3D laser scanning. Results show that most estimated measurements are less than the real measurement of the subject; it also depends on the posture of the subject while walking. Furthermore, results shows the differences between the real height and the estimated height with a statistical approach.     

稳态条件下EDR车速的可信度分析

目的分析稳态条件(例如,无制动)下国内车辆EDR碰前车速的可信度,为EDR碰前车速的应用提供参考。方法在国外研究结论的基础上,选取国内1起既有EDR数据又有监控视频的实际案例,利用监控视频计算所得车速为参考值,分析事故车辆稳态行驶时EDR车速的可信度,并结合EDR车速的来源对其进一步分析。结果根据国外文献研究结果可知,车辆稳态行驶时EDR车速的相对误差在±4%以内。通过国内1起实例的分析,显示稳态行驶车速为120 km/h,EDR记录的碰前车速相对误差为3.886%。结论结合EDR车速来源的分析表明,稳态条件下,国内车辆EDR记录的碰前车速同样具有很好的可信度,可有效应用到相关的车速重建中。     

Comparison of the Performance of Two Methods for Height Estimation

Abstract: In the case study, two methods of performing body height measurements in images are compared based on projective geometry and 3D modeling of the crime scene. Accuracy and stability of height estimations are tested using reconstruction images of test persons of known height. Given unchanged camera settings, predictions of both methods are accurate. However, as the camera had been moved in the case, new vanishing points and camera matches had to be created for the reconstruction images. 3D modeling still yielded accurate and stable estimations. Projective geometry produced incorrect predictions for test persons and unstable intervals for questioned persons. The latter is probably caused by the straight lines in the field of view being hard to discern. With the quality of material presented, which is representative for our case practice, using vanishing points may thus yield unstable results. The results underline the importance of performing validation experiments in casework.