Wolf Civil Engineer Ben Hosinski, P.E. was trying to conduct a field photogrammetric analysis but was unable to locate two apparent poles in the background. Eventually he was supplied the original and unaltered digital image file where he could see that the two poles were part of another temporary construction sign. So much data was lost in the first file that the sign itself could not be seen.
The unaltered file also included the photo’s metadata that was lost in the modified version. This data documents the conditions under which the media was created. Metadata may include date, equipment model, equipment settings and more. Analysts need this data to know under what conditions the recording was created. James Sobek, Wolf’s senior visibility consulting expert, explains that photo files “... contain metadata information as to actual time that each image was taken and the ISO, relative aperture (f/) setting and the exposure time for each shot. That will allow me to independently assess lighting levels.” Metadata documenting flash use is also available. Using a flash in nighttime shots provides false illumination that alters the actual conditions at the time of an incident.
Finally, the modified file would make a very poor courtroom display for jurors trying to understand what happened. The unmodified version had all the quality needed to make an exhibit that would display well from a large format TV, projector or large print.
