Graduates of the “Level 1: Forensic Video Analysis & the Law” course can apply to enter the Forensic Video Analyst Certification program.
NOTEWORTHY: LEVA will now confer Certified Forensic Video Technician (CFVT) status on students who have performed video evidence processing for at least one year and successfully complete its three core courses within a six-year period (Level 1, Level 2, Level 3). This track is designed for certification of individuals who are not doing full analysis but still process video and testify in court.
Since June 2002, the core instruction team of LEVA’s “Forensic Video Analysis and the Law” course had been establishing the groundwork. Those individuals later assumed the additional responsibility as the LEVA Forensic Video Analysis Certification Committee with oversight by the LEVA Board of Directors.
That committee consisted of: Jonathan Hak, Crown Prosecutor for the Department of Justice in Alberta, Canada; Dorothy Stout, then-Senior Analyst with General Dynamics for the U.S. Department of Defense now owner of Resolution Video; Grant Fredericks, owner of Forensic Video Solutions, former Manager of Avid Technology's Forensic Video Solutions and police officer; Phil Williams of the FBI’s Counterterrorism and Forensic Science Research Unit.
“Most agencies limit their video technicians to simple enhancement tasks,” cites Fredericks, a pioneer in forensic video analysis, “and they rarely go further than crude attempts at image clarification.” He concludes that, “Such a narrow approach to the science of forensic video analysis severely limits their potential impact on important investigations.”
The forensic video analysis community has eagerly sought a certification program. Many of the nearly 900 students who have attended LEVA’s “Forensic Video Analysis and the Law” course have been the most vocal.
Fredericks says, “LEVA’s Certification Program establishes an important foundation for minimum standards and provides analysts with the tools and experience to ensure agencies they are getting the most value out of their video evidence.”
Digital forensic video analysis is still a relatively new science when compared to the nearly century old tradition that still photography has enjoyed in the courts. LEVA legal instructor and attorney Jonathan Hak said, “As with all ‘new’ sciences, the courts must be satisfied that the science is technically sound and that the witness using the science is properly qualified.” He adds, “LEVA’s Certification Program will assist in further establishing the legitimacy of forensic video analysis and will help to ensure a positive reception of the analyst’s evidence in court.” Hak asserts, “Certification is an important objective standard by which to judge the competence of analysts.”
That competence will indeed be earned. There are formidable educational hurdles. Once all requirements are met, the candidate applies to take the exam. Once passed, the person is certified by LEVA as a Forensic Video Analyst. The certification must be renewed every three years. There’s also an annual review of the analyst’s curriculum vitae (CV). A key component is the Code of Ethics designed especially for this program. Applicants must affirm they will adhere to that Code when in the certification process and while certified as an analyst.
Current Certification Committee Members
- This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - Program Manager
- This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - Team Leader
- This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - Crown Prosecutor's Office, Calgary, Alberta
- This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - Durham Regional Police Services, Ontario
- This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - Ontario Provincial Police, Ontario
