Neville wrote:I only have an old version at home I think it is Photoshop 7 and one other older version 5? In my last office we had CS2 I have been using them from time to time over the last 6 or 7 years and I hate it, it is not intuitive in any sense of the word.
I think what has happened is that people have come into forensics with a background of using Photoshop or knowing it is the benchmark for commercial work have then naturally adapted it for forensic use. That is fine I guess, I am just saying that there is much easier software to use out there that is often cheaper, or especially designed for forensic use and is often more intuitive.
When I became an LPE in 1998, I had no Photoshop or photographic skills whatsoever. Everything I know how to do has been learned since then, mostly centered around forensic/fingerprint work. That may be why I prefer macro photography over other types as I'm much more comfortable with it. As far as intuitive goes, I can't really unlearn what I know to say whether or not it is or isn't. In a way, I think that depends on the individual trying to learn it too. Although I've had a class in PowerPoint, I'm much more comfortable using PS than PowerPoint - it's just not completely intuitive to me. But I'm also more interested in PS, so I'm less inclined to go out of my way to learn advanced techniques in PowerPoint.
I must admit we have had this argument here in NZ with neither side convincing the other so I doubt that it will be any different on this forum. My argument is, do you have the time to train all the staff on this software when other options require little or no training.
Which options require little or no training?
Our new LPE's receive training in PS as part of the training program. Many of our examiners predate the use of Photoshop in our office, so they've received different training over the course of their careers. Many have went to the FBI Academy to take advantage of many of the classes that they offer which include both photography and digital imaging, we've brought George Reis in to our office in the past, some have went to other training offered by instructors such as David Witzke and Brian Dalrymple. I've also taught my charting workshop for 17 of our 18 LPE's, and will be again some time in the future for the other one plus a few who would like to have it over again.
Since it's commonly used in our office, everyone should be trained to some level of competency, so the time should be made (in my opinion).
We also use it every day, which helps to maintain our skills.
As for which version is the best, it must always be the latest, Adobe does not employ all those people writing software updates just for the fun of it. You usually just have to upgrade the processing power of the computers to cope. But then Steve would have far more idea on that than I would.
The best version is pretty much any version you have that you're comfortable using. Many of the revisions don't specifically do anything different from a forensic perspective. When I taught my first workshop in early 2009, I had CS2 in my laptop. Since the class was going to be taught on computers with the trial version of CS4 on them, I was going to have to purchase it. It wouldn't work well in my old PC, so that's when I decided to buy a Mac and install CS4 on that. When I was going to do a workshop at the Spokane IAI, the computers would be loaded with CS5. So I downloaded the trial version to go through the different aspects I would be covering. I didn't see any major differences that would need to be addressed, so I haven't purchased it. I wouldn't recommend getting CS5 if you've already got CS4.
The major issue I see currently regarding the different versions is the training that usually occurs on the newer versions. After the training is over, many of the students have to go back and try to apply the training and techniques to older versions. Many of the theories still work, but finding where to go to apply them may be different.
Steve E.
