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Law enforcement's digital wave Mail Tribune / Drew Fleming Police, like many consumers, are beginning to use the latest technology in evidence collection. Here, Central Point police Sgt. Toni Winters uses a digital camera to photograph evidence. Although the technology is cheaper and faster than traditional camera processing, there are concerns about security because digital images are more readily available for altering. Laptops, cameras give cops an edge By Jill Briskey Instead of technology passing by his department, Central Point police Chief Mike Sweeny hopes to ride the digital wave. As police agencies turn to computerized forensics and install laptops in patrol cars, the latest improvement lies in using digital cameras to photograph evidence. Instead of using film, digital cameras record images onto a disk that can then be directly copied to a computer�s hard-drive for storage or printing. Images can also be transferred to a CD-ROM for storage. Police debate use of digital cameras Across Jackson County, police agencies are debating the pros and cons of using digital cameras in addition to traditional Polaroid and 35-mm cameras. According to Mark Bastable, manager of Shutterbug in the Rogue Valley Mall, there�s a lot to consider. In one sense, digital cameras are cost-savers because the images don�t need to be developed with dangerous chemicals, he said. They also offer instant results. "It�s much easier to get the image into the camera to download," Bastable said. "Once you take the picture, at any time you can look at those images." It�s also easy to delete unwanted pictures, he added, therefore saving money and space. On the downside, digital cameras require a little extra care. "You have to be more careful: keep them dry, don�t expose them to the elements, not drop them," he said. Both print and digital cameras are low-maintenance � just keeping the equipment clean and dry, he said. Also, if images are copied from a hard drive or disk to CD-ROM, they last "indefinitely." Digital cameras cost anywhere from $300 to $3,000 depending on the quality, brand and features, Bastable said. Some police officials think the digital trend will render traditional 35-mm and Polaroid cameras obsolete within police departments in the next 10 years. "We�re hoping that it will mean a better cost savings, a better way to save evidence," Sweeny said. "We�ll be able to actually include actual images in our reports." Earlier this month, Sweeny said a city employee donated a digital camera to the department. Two more are in the police budget this year. Sgt. Tony McPherson, who is creating guidelines for the use of digital imagery tailored to the Central Point department, said detectives and sergeants will be using the digital camera by April. McPherson said the transport, storage and preservation of digital images are issues that he plans to address in the guidelines. Central Point will join several other agencies in the county that are already using digital cameras in police work. Ashland police have used a single digital camera for two years to record evidence in property-related crimes, added Lynn Parlette, officer in charge of detectives . "Like a Polaroid, you get instant gratification. You know whether or not it�s good," Parlette said of the new technology�s benefits. Recently, Parlette said Ashland purchased software that can send mug shots through e-mail. That�s a feature Central Point police hope to take advantage of when it comes to the victims of domestic violence. "It will hopefully ensure that cases are properly charged," Sweeny said. In cases of extreme violence, Sweeny hopes the fast transmission of a digital image could translate into the speedy service of restraining orders. Medford police Lt. Tim George said that last week the department purchased at least 12 digital cameras. "We�re just now dabbling with it," he said. "It�s easy for us to store. It�s easy for us to handle." The Jackson County Sheriff�s Department, which has 10 digital cameras, has used the same technology for a little over one year. Pleased with the results, Sgt. Rich Fogerty said the cameras have already paid for themselves. Digital camera images don�t require expensive chemical processing. "It�s just as good, if not better, than film and easier to control," Fogerty said. Sheriff�s officials use "CompactFlash cards" � a small, high quality disk that holds a greater amount of memory � to record images instead of floppy disks. With the change in technology, the danger of digital enhancing or tampering on the computer is a big issue. Modern software makes it relatively easy for almost anyone to alter digital photos. In order to eradicate that possibility, Fogerty said the sheriff�s department has adopted a stringent policy regarding digital camera evidence. The department has also limited the accessibility of those images to only three people. "Our contention is that it depends on your credibility personally, as a department," Fogerty added. Jackson County District Attorney Mark Huddleston isn�t aware of any local cases where digital evidence has been used. "I think this is the wave of the future," Huddleston said. "It�s a new process. All the evidentiary issues regarding digital imagery haven�t been addressed." Huddleston said he has encouraged police agencies to backup their digital images with 35-mm film in major cases. Although the dangers of image-altering in a computer are a possibility, that�s not behind his reasoning. Preserving evidence is the main reason for the more traditional backup. "It�s like any chain of custody," he said. "The reality is that any photo, even 35-mm film prints, can be placed in a computer and digitally altered." Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.