VOID DIRE - Photogrammetry

Question 1

Can you please state and spell your name for the record?

Answer 1

Renae Atkins

Question 2

With whom are you employed?

Answer 2

I work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the Operational Technology Division, specifically in the Image Analysis Program.

Question 3

What is your position currently with the FBI?

Answer 3

My current title is Physical Scientist/Photographic Technologist however, another way to state my position is that I am a forensic examiner of questioned photographic evidence.

Question 4

How long have you been with the Image Analysis Program?

Answer 4

I began my career with the FBI in March of 202 however, I joined the Image Analysis Program (IAP), which is in the Video Forensic Analysis Unit (VFAU) in February of 2025.

Question 5

What does an examiner of photographic evidence do?

Answer 5

I conduct forensic examinations on anything that is depicted in imagery. The Image Analysis Program conducts four types of examinations.

One is photogrammetry which is simply the science of taking measurements from images. This would include height analysis, weapon length determinations, vehicle speed analysis, and/or placement of objects in a scene based on recorded imagery.

Second is image comparison where I am asked to identify a questioned individual, object, or place depicted in imagery to known individuals, objects, or placed. This can be faces, clothing, weapons, vehicles, pretty much anything that is depicted in images or videos.

Third is image authentication which includes both content authentication and source authentication. Content authentication would include does the image or video depict real people and/or events? Source authentication would be did this camera capture this image?

The fourth examination is called information extraction is simply known as enhancement. This exam is used in most of the other examinations to bring out as much information out of the imagery as possible. Examples would be basic contrast enhancement and enlargement of the image.

Question 6

What other positions have you held with the FBI?

Answer 6

I have previously worked as a Physical Scientist in Friction Ridge Discipline within the Laboratory Division.

Question 7

What is your educational background?

Answer 7

I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from American Military University.

Question 8

Do you belong to any professional associations?

Answer 8

I belong to the International Association for Identification, or IAI.

Question 9

What special training have you completed in forensic image analysis?

Answer 9

I completed a rigorous two-year training program. It included reading assignments, written tests, proficiency tests, and working cases under the direct supervision of a senior qualified examiner.

Question 10

What is forensic?

Answer 10

Forensic means the application to law. So, forensic science would mean taking the principles of science and applying them to legal questions.

Question 11

What is Photogrammetry?

Answer 11

Photogrammetry is the science of determining measurements from images.

Question 12

What are the different techniques or variations of Photogrammetry?

Question 13

Explain each of the different techniques or variations of Photogrammetry

Question 14

Talking specifically about Reverse Projection Photogrammetry, how long have you been using that technique?

Question 15

How long has Photogrammetry been around?

Answer 15

Photogrammetry as a science is old as photography itself, dating back to the 19th century. However, the concept of photogrammetry dates back 1480 when Leonardo da Vinci developed the concepts of perspective and projective geometry.

Question 16

How long has Reverse Projection Photogrammetry been around?

Answer 16

The FBI began utilizing reverse projection photogrammetry examinations in the early 1990s.

Question 17

How long has the FBI been performing photogrammetric examinations?

Answer 17

Since the early 1970s

Question 18

Approximately how many times have you performed this technique?

Question 19

Do you perform you work in a laboratory?

Question 20

Are you certified in your work?

Question 21

Have you ever applied Reverse Projection Photogrammetry in a criminal case?

Question 22

Have you ever testified as an expert in the area of Reverse Projection Photogrammetry?

Question 23

Have you ever testified as an expert in any other areas?

Question 24

Have you taught or lectured on this area?

Question 25

What other agencies utilizing reverse projection photogrammetry?

Answer 25

The Wisconsin State Forensic Laboratory, The Netherlands Forensic Institute, and the Target Forensic Lab all perform reverse projection photogrammetry

Question 26

In which case law has FBI photogrammetric analysis been accepted?

Answer 26

A few cases in which photogrammetric analysis has been accepted are: United States v. Henry Stuart Brown, United States v Cornel EVERETT and Timothy Smith and United States v Keith Wayne QUINN.