Imagery Analysis Imagery Analysis is the study of imagery derived from many sources including CCTV, Infra-red (IR), optical, mobile  phone, aerial, radar and thermal. A person trained in these areas is known as an Imagery Analyst (IA). Ex military IA’s  are trained to look at the ‘whole picture’. They will consider the persons build, their height, clothing, footwear and gait.  Associated objects such as weapons, cars, bicycles, containers used etc will all be considered in the final report. Facial Mapping is the study of the face. In order to make comparisons and take measurements of the face it is  recognised that both sets of photographs must be from the same viewpoint. Without this constraint the measurements  will be meaningless.  There are a number of ways that this can be demonstrated:  • Superimposition: This requires images of the same  angles to be a valid comparison.  • Measurement and photography of the face: This can  then be compared with crime scene imagery. • Morphology: This is a subjective area relying on the  analyst comparing features against scientifically-agreed  descriptions. Unique features are also measured and  described.  As well as facial clues, FVS analysts also use contextual information to recognise people i.e. the way they walk, their overall body shape, the way they hold their head, their stance or how they gesture whilst in conversation. Body Mapping Body mapping is the process of identifying physically distinct features of the human body, through morphological  examination and photogrammetry to determine the height and build of a person.   Clothing Comparisons FVS are able to visit crime scenes to take measurements, and also film  the recovered clothing using the original CCTV equipment (which  captured footage of the crime). The reconstruction is then compared to  the original crime footage, and features of similarity and difference are  measured and described. The photo shown right was used to illustrate  that an offender could have been wearing a scarf identical to the  recovered scarf during a series of armed robberies. It was shown that the  scarf had been used in three of the robberies.   Footwear Comparisons FVS are often asked to examine footwear to  determine whether the recovered items have  been worn by the offenders. Photogrammetry  can be used to calculated shoe size.  Weapon Comparisons  Many types of everyday objects can  be classified as weapons if used  offensively.   FVS have the right skills to be able  to analyse and report on the range  of weapons used in an act of  committing an offence.    As well as making comparisons with  traditional types of weapon such as firearms, knives, machetes etc, we  are also called upon to make comparisons against other implements  including hammers, screwdrivers and baseball bats.   The images far right FVS were to do with the Birmingham Riots of 2011.  FVS were tasked to examine the images of the weapons seen on   imagery in the vicinity of the Barton Arms in Birmingham. We were able  to demonstrate in court that the images of the weapons seen were of the same type and style as the weapons held in  the police armoury  How reliable is Imagery Analysis of the person? It is recognised that two different people can share similar characteristics and that poor quality CCTV footage may not  pick up more detailed features. It is also recognised that two persons wearing similar-toned and styled clothing could  be difficult tell apart. Due to these issues positive identification (i.e. ‘Image X is of Person Y’) is generally not possible.  We can however compare available imagery with the candidate for differences that would positively eliminate the  candidate. It is generally accepted that finding no differences is supportive evidence that the subject of the footage  being analysed and the candidate is one and the same, and they cannot be elimiated as a candidate.  Confidence scale  No scales or statistical databases exist that can precisely evaluate findings and conclusions. Instead we operate using  a standardised scale as a method of providing a subjective expert opinion. It is published as an extract from the  Forensic Imagery Analysis Group (FIAG) guidelines, a sub-group of the British Association of Human Identification  (BAHid):  • Lends no support   • Lends limited support   • Lends moderate support   • Lends support   • Lends strong support   • Lends powerful support  For examples of high-profile cases where FVS has put these techniques into practice, view our case studies. 

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Facial and body mapping, clothing and footwear comparison, weapon and vehicle comparisons are just some of the services FVS can provide.