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Digital System for Imaging Bitter Patterns

NCJ Number
222092
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 58 Issue: 2 Dated: March/April 2008 Pages: 1-4
Author(s)
Bruce E. Koenig; Douglas S. Lacey; Steven A. Killion
Date Published
March 2008
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article discusses Bitter (ferrofluid development) pattern imaging.
Abstract
This article discusses the present film setup and its protocol; the requirements of the new digital system, its components, and protocol; image enhancement through post-processing; and forensic recommendations. Though this article specifically discusses Bitter pattern imaging, most of the information is applicable to digital macroimaging systems in other forensic applications. Bitter patterns are commonly used in audio duplication, enhancement, authenticity, and voice comparison examinations of analog tapes. The specific makes and models of the camera, lenses, and accessories are not listed in this article, because comparable equipment is readily available from a number of different manufacturers. This article includes sections on Bitter pattern visualization, the present film-based macrophotography system, the present film-based macrophotography protocols, the digital macroimaging system requirements, the new digital macroimaging system, image enhancement through post-processing techniques, and some forensic recommendations. Tables, figures, references, appendix