Thank you Joe! (No, not Biden, Fragomeni)

Details

Written by Larry Compton

Created: 06 November 2020

I finished some major updates to the site last night, including upgrading to a newer, faster core database.  I also updated our DCCTV Player Library to include new features, better performance, and better layouts.  In doing the latter I was reminded of Joe Fragomeni's significant contributions to our DCCTV Player Library, and his continued contributions here and elsewhere to the entire multimedia evidence community.

Prior to moving to a subscription model in April, 2019, I reached out to Joe to let him know that he would have free lifetime access to all of our Pro Upgrade features.  If you've browsed the library you know that Joe has contributed over 70 files, and also took the time to add details such as screenshots, tips & tricks, etc.  Joe has continued to contribute and support DME Resources throughout it's many changes over the years, and his valuable insight and timely assistance to so many has been inspirational for me at times when I needed it most.

Over the years Joe & I have become great friends, and I will always consider him within my "inner circle".  For Pete's sake, he's even sent me cigars on occasion, which although unhealthy are one of the key things that help me relax. 😎

Joe, I cannot thank you enough for your friendship & support.  Not just your support & participation at DME Resources, but your support of our entire discipline over the years through LEVA and other means as well.  It has been and always will be an honor to call you my friend.  All the best, always!

The Importance of that "Crappy" Proprietary DCCTV Player

Details

Written by Larry Compton

Created: 02 November 2020

"Who designed this user interface, Stevie Wonder?" Actual statement from a LE technician, and point well taken when it comes to proprietary DCCTV players. They're often horribly designed, and like all multimedia players/editors/tools regardless of who makes them, they are time & resource dependent (e.g. hardware resources, drivers, frameworks, codecs, etc.).

As I say in every one of our training classes, ALL software has strengths & weaknesses. Not just Proprietary DCCTV players, but software from Microsoft, Adobe, and even software designed by & for specific markets or niches. All software, period.

When it comes to multimedia evidence there are more variables to consider than with any other type of digital evidence. When a couple pixels in one frame of video really matters, hopefully you're not trusting a single tool.

Furthermore, I don't recommend that anyone goes to court without having reviewed their video evidence in the Proprietary DCCTV player specifically designed to playback that evidence. That'd be sort of like a ballistics expert choosing to compare a 9mm casing & round to their controlled tests that were done using a S&W .38 Special. Dumb, IMHO.

For investigative processing, both Open Source and specialized software & tools can and do save tremendous amounts of time. Like it or not though, they too have shortcomings, which a properly trained & equipped Forensic Analyst should be further investigating in the controlled environment of their lab.

Are you missing entire streams of evidence? What about the GPS, Velocity or PoS data stored in that proprietary In-Car or DCCTV file? Other text or metadata that FFmpeg or your specialized tool can't parse?

Tools are vital at every stage of criminal prosecution, from evidence collection through court presentation. Regardless of who you work for, Analysts should seek knowledge & truth, not the path of least resistance. Be safe out there my friends!