Identification Method for Digital Image Forgery and Filtering Region through Interpolation

Because of the rapidly increasing use of digital composite images, recent studies have identified digital forgery and filtering regions. This research has shown that interpolation, which is used to edit digital images, is an effective way to analyze digital images for composite regions. Interpolation is widely used to adjust the size of the image of a composite target, making the composite image seem natural by rotating or deforming. As a result, many algorithms have been developed to identify composite regions by detecting a trace of interpolation. However, many limitations have been found in detection maps developed to identify composite regions. In this study, we analyze the pixel patterns of noninterpolation and interpolation regions. We propose a detection map algorithm to separate the two regions. To identify composite regions, we have developed an improved algorithm using minimum filer, Laplacian operation and maximum filters. Finally, filtering regions that used the interpolation operation are analyzed using the proposed algorithm.     

The Possibilities and Limitations of Forensic Hand Comparison

On recordings of certain crimes, the face is not always shown. In such cases, hands can offer a solution, if they are completely visible. An important aspect of this study was to develop a method for hand comparison. The research method was based on the morphology, anthropometry, and biometry of hands. A new aspect of this study was that a manual and automated test were applied, which, respectively, assess many features and provide identification rates quickly. An important observation was that good quality images can provide sufficient hand details. The most distinctive features were the length/width ratio, the palm line pattern and the quantity of highly distinctive features present, and how they are distributed. The results indicate that experience did not improve the identification rates, while the manual test did. Intra‐observer variability did not influence the results, whereas hands of relatives were frequently misjudged. Both tests provided high identification rates.     

Strategies moulding brand reputation building in the early 21st century

Abstract

Since the mid-1990s, the changing political, economic and social environment and globalisation have contributed to change business behaviour in South Africa. Nowadays, business strategies are built alongside sustainable business goals, with renewed emphasis on quality and brand reputation management. Business intelligence (BI) systems and research demand show clear emphasis on customer brand franchising and brand citizenship in particular. Brands are no longer used only as marketing communication tools. Nowadays, brand companies seem well aware of stakeholders’ concerns with non-financial business aspects and are responding through re-branding, improved customer relations and good corporate citizenship behaviour. Consequently, direct customer feedback via customer satisfaction and franchise-building research, as well as corporate citizenship image and perception surveys have emerged as key research tools that generate business intelligence used to build and protect company reputation. The way in which contemporary research designs are constructed to guide reputation building and protection, and how these inputs are used to guide business reputation strategies form the core of this article. The discussion reveals that corporate reputation and brand management functions are increasingly being synchronised in support of customer-based brand equity, customer franchise and reputation building. This suggests substantial communality between the management functions relating to corporate reputation and branding. Corporate branding and reputation are anticipated to evolve as a core business strategy aimed at building and protecting corporate identity and image. To meet this endeavour, companies will continue to brand their identity and image and create brand awareness and customer relations to enable stakeholders to differentiate company products, services and features from competitor offerings, but will simultaneously strive to enhance customer loyalty. Customer care and ethical behaviour will probably lead the thrust in creating positive corporate reputation. As long as corporate reputation building and branding are pursued, the demand for business intelligence information related to these topics will remain a priority and will guide future marketing and communication strategies in building and protecting corporate reputation.     

当代西方美学理论中的主体观和身体意象

本文从身体主体论立场出发,重构了当代西方美学中的两个身体意象系列——主体系列和客体系列,揭示了两类身体意象的不足和相应理论体系的欠缺,强调当代身体美学研究应该充分重视身体主体性,建构出与身体的复杂性、丰富性、创造性相称的身体意象.     

The blurring of boundaries: images of abjection as the terrorist and the reel Arab intersect

In her treatise on abjection, Julia Kristeva argues that the abject is located outside the self, remaining in a state of repulsion that threatens to destroy the self. Abject representations are prevalent in the way terrorists have been portrayed in the Western news media post-September 11, 2001. These images of abjection are problematic, as they consolidate the images we have seen in Hollywood films representing Arabs. Furthermore, these depictions have eroded the fine line between the real and the unreal. This article examines the point at which these issues intersect, by analysing individual images vis-à-vis film portrayals of the Arab and, ultimately, how the framed images of terrorists aired on TV screens have conformed to previously accepted notions of the Arab.     

Single‐Image Rectification Technique in Forensic Science

Many researchers have been working in Spain to document the communal graves of those assassinated during the Spanish Civil War. This article shows the results obtained with two low‐cost photogrammetric techniques for the basic documentation of forensic studies. These low‐cost techniques are based on single‐image rectification and the correction of the original photo displacement due to the projection and perspective distortions introduced by the lens of the camera. The capability of image rectification is tested in an excavation in the village of Loma de Montija (Burgos, Spain). The results of both techniques are compared with the more accurate data obtained from a laser scanner system RIEGL LMS‐Z390i to evaluate the error in the lengths. The first technique uses a camera situated on a triangle‐shaped pole at a height of 5 m and the second positions the camera over the grave using a linearly actuated device. The first technique shows measurement errors less than 6%, whereas the second shows greater errors (between 8% and 14%) owing to the positioning of the carbon‐fiber cross on an uneven surface.     

大国文化身份与当代文论创新

大国文学需要自我身份反省并坚持文论走近经典进而可持续创新。在中国文论经历了一个世纪的西化浪潮之后,应该重新检讨中国文论的精神价值取向,从全盘西化的文论盲视中走出来,重新以“走近经典”的文化高度和精神厚度,审视大众图像时代中的中国文论身份,从西方文论的中国化到中国文论经验的世界化的转型中,关注文化创新与文学理论创新的同步性,进而守正创新——“走近经典”并“创新经典”。     

公安形象危机处置方法探讨

当前,一些地方公安机关因不能妥善处理突然发生的、对公共安全、公共利益产生重大威胁的事件,导致一些负面消息甚至不实报道,从而严重损害公安机关和人民警察的形象。要处置这种公安形象危机,就要全面认识公安形象危机的不可避免性、突发性、严重破坏性,难以修复性、可预知性和可控制性、不确定性和易变性等特点,防止出现"封锁消息"、"针锋相对"、"暗箱操作"、"敷衍应付"的错误倾向。此外,还应转变观念、与时俱进,增强危机管理意识;居安思危,未雨绸缪,提高危机管理能力;加强策划,运用技巧,提高危机处置水平。     

Failure of anthropometry as a facial identification technique using high-quality photographs

Anthropometry can be used in certain circumstances to facilitate comparison of a photograph of a suspect with that of the potential offender from surveillance footage. Experimental research was conducted to determine whether anthropometry has a place in forensic practice in confirming the identity of a suspect from a surveillance video. We examined an existing database of photographic lineups, where one video image was compared against 10 photographs, which has previously been used in psychological research. Target (1) and test (10) photos were of high quality, although taken with a different camera. The anthropometric landmarks of right and left ectocanthions, nasion, and stomion were chosen, and proportions and angle values between these landmarks were measured to compare target with test photos. Results indicate that these measurements failed to accurately identify targets. There was also no indication that any of the landmarks made a better comparison than another. It was concluded that, for these landmarks, this method does not generate the consistent results necessary for use as evidence in a court of law.