How many agencies allow officers onto the streets without their first graduating from the academy? How many hours does your department require new officers to work with a field training officer before being permitted to patrol independently? How many hours each year are your officers required to earn in continuing education? In depends on each agency’s standard operating procedures, but the answer to all of these likely adds up to hundreds of hours.

Now, let’s ask another question: How many hours do your officers undergo training in handling and processing video evidence? Does your department have policies in place for what to do with the growing amount of CCTV and personal video that has become so prevalent in 2023? If you have a specialized video or digital evidence unit, made up of either sworn or civilian personnel, how many hours of training do they receive initially and each year to keep up with this evolving field? This article hopes to help your agency sense the urgency for training and offers resources to find training providers and best practices. This way, you will already be prepared when your department requires video evidence to be held to the highest standard.

Resources for Best Practices

Before establishing your own policy on the amount and recipients of training for video evidence, there are some great resources to help get you started. One free resource is the Scientific Working Group on Digital Evidence (SWGDE). This working group comprises practitioners in both the public and private sectors, as well as educational, legal, and industry professionals. Their focus is on creating best practices across different levels of departments.

Some of the resources from the SWDGE include the following:

• • Training Guidelines for Those Who Conduct Video Analysis
  • Best Practices for Recovering Video from DVRs
  • Guidelines for Collecting Video from Large-Scale Incidents
  • Best Practices for Video Analysts Who Not Only Review Video But Interpret It As Well
  • Considerations on How Best to Submit and Present Your Video Evidence in Court

There are many other places agencies can go for information, whether you are just formalizing how your video evidence is processed or creating a new unit. One helpful place to look is neighboring agencies who have gone before you. If there is a department near you with an existing policy, asking for a copy and then adapting it to your current policies can be a simple way to start.

Training in Video Evidence

After having the right policies in place, developing a good base knowledge of video evidence is vital for your practitioners at the crime scene as well as in the courtroom. In policing, this is similar to attending the academy and learning the basics of legal code and policing theory. In addition, some basic principles are helpful for officers and experts alike. As discussed in “How Understanding Video Evidence Is Vital for Your Organization” (authored by Amped Software for Police Chief), one common misconception is that, because video reviewing and processing is so prevalent, it is also common knowledge.¹ Unfortunately, often, the more evidence one has, especially from different sources, the easier it may be to misinterpret the information those files contain.

There are several places that agencies can go to find help in understanding video evidence at different levels of expertise. Organizations such as the Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Video Association (LEVA) have developed courses to aid everyone who interacts with video evidence. In the United States, law enforcement-specific groups, such as the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, the National Computer Forensics Institute, and several private entities, help practitioners gain an overall understanding of video. Amped Software also offers a class called Investigating Video Evidence that discusses aspects of collection, processing, and data protection to ensure that first responders accurately handle video evidence.

For experts or analysts who work with video evidence daily, several universities also offer programs on media forensics or digital forensics. Often, these programs will include the theory that goes into the field of video analysis at a scientific level.

Training on Video Tools

Training on video, in general, is valuable, but learning to use the tools to process, clarify, and present video evidence is equally important. In policing, this is similar to learning the protocols of a records management system or learning how to use a less-lethal tool. Each tool has different aspects that vary depending on the manufacturer, and specific training is often required to make the most of the application.

Typically, every manufacturer has a variety of options for training, from getting started guides to full training courses. Courses often have different levels based on the expected use and expertise of the practitioner. For example, Amped Software has a main class for the popular tool Amped FIVE. After that main class, there are modules that cover more detail on topics such as video file analysis, understanding measurements and speed estimation, or video evidence presentation.

In recent years, there has also been an increase in online courses manufacturers offer. These have aided agencies by making it easier for those needing training to obtain it at a cost savings to the agency. Experientially, while the overall cost of training is generally less in an online course, these online courses should be reserved for more experienced practitioners. This is because general interaction and comprehension are lessened in online courses versus in-person learning, generally due to environmental distractions (e.g., interruptions either at home or in the office during the course) or factors inherent to online learning (e.g., microphone issues, intermittent internet, difficulty asking questions). If both an online and in-person courses are available to the practitioner, it may help to ask the practitioner for their preference.

A Word on Certification

Participating in training sessions is a great way to expand the knowledge base of your officers and practitioners. But how do you quantify that knowledge? This is where having a mentor practitioner is crucial (similar to a Field Training Officer), as well as external validation through programs for certification. In the United States, two organizations provide certifications for the field of video forensics.

When looking at general video certifications, the International Association on Identification (IAI) offers certification for video examiners, which shows comprehension of the science regardless of training. LEVA, an organization mentioned earlier, offers two levels of certifications. One is for video technicians (those who have to process video regularly) and one for video analysts (those who conduct opinion- or comparison-based video examinations) who require an understanding of the science as well as participation in their training sessions. One added benefit of certification is that each organization also lists those who are certified.

Like these certification entities, many manufacturers allow those who complete their training to become certified in their applications. The criteria for successfully obtaining these certifications may vary depending on the manufacturer but typically involve a test to prove proficiency. For example, with the newly announced certification for Amped FIVE, those who have taken a course in the last three years may take a test that covers both the theory behind the software and the practical usage of the software. For more information, contact info@ampedsoftware.com.

Conclusion

As explained, best practices, training, and certifications are options that aid your agency in the area of video evidence. They provide opportunities to prepare and expand your readiness related to video evidence before an incident occurs where videos are crucial. They develop an impartial, consistent process for everyone in your department. But, most of all, they are great starting points in preparing departments to present your evidence effectively when needed.

Just like when your officers are in the field, either in patrol or investigative roles, your video examiners will need continued learning. This will serve two purposes: refreshing their knowledge when faced with infrequently requested tasks and keeping them updated on any changes that have occurred since their last training session. In video evidence, there are several conferences where new research and techniques are presented and updated training courses on applications showcase the latest features. Both certification bodies mentioned earlier (the IAI and LEVA) have requirements for continuing education to maintain certification. They also have annual conferences to assist professionals in earning those hours.

By preparing your examiners with the knowledge and tools they need and pursuing certification to validate their comprehension, law enforcement everywhere can raise the value placed on this ever-growing area of digital evidence.

Note:

¹Blake Sawyer, “How Understanding Video Evidence Is Vital for Your Organization” (Sponsor Content), Police Chief Online, August 2023.