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NASA Technology for Policing

NCJ Number
212701
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 53 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2005 Pages: 96-99
Author(s)
Christy Whitehead
Date Published
October 2005
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes the joint efforts of NASA and law enforcement in the development by NASA of the crime fighting video enhancement tool--Video Image Stabilization and Registration (VISAR).
Abstract
While law enforcement often uses video to identify suspects, to investigate a crime scene, or to spot identifying characteristics, the video enhancement system--Video Image Stabilization Registration (VISAR) developed by NASA can be used to convert dark, jumpy images captured by security cameras, video cameras, as well as police car cameras into clear, stable images that have the potential to reveal additional clues about a crime. VISAR was first used by law enforcement in 1996 during the bombing at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta. VISAR helps to stabilize images to create a clearer video sequence. Intergraph Government Solutions in Huntsville, AL, has a licensing agreement with NASA for the use of the VISAR technology, and has installed VISAR in its Video Analyst System, featuring broadcast-quality video editing and enhancement for law enforcement and security companies.