MIDEO digital photography system

[Pat A. Wertheim]

I have heard rumors that my agency is considering something called a "MIDEO" digital imaging system. Has anyone had experience with this system? What issues have you found surrounding its use?

All comments appreciated. Private emails welcome at foridents@aol.com

[clpexco]

I know that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation uses the system extensively, and has for years.

It's mostly centered around image capture, image integrity, and file management for latent prints, but there are modules for other things. It allows for over-all as well as close-up examination quality latent print capture efficiently.

I haven't used it, but I have seen it demo'd and I was impressed.

-Kasey

[Pat A. Wertheim]

I have received several private emails about the MIDEO system from users. My concern was whether the image quality was as good as that of a quality digital camera, and whether the features that would allow it to integrate with LIMS outweighed other quality issues. Here are some comments I received, sanitized to protect my "informants" identities (I have tried to take out any clues as to the senders' names or agencies and, to the senders, I hope you don't mind me quoting you anonymously):

(My department) has MIDEO, they are out of California. They have a slick product, nice capture, image authentication, all sorts of things. Our DNA Lab has used it for years just for documentation of evidence. The Latent side of the Lab bought it about 2 or 3 years ago, insisting it integrate with our (computer report writing software). Well, we are still waiting. They keep telling us that the Evidence Processing Unit will start taking photos with it, soon…(They have been telling us that for over a year) and then we will do everything right on-screen (comparisons). Does not appear to be happening. Should you ever get to (my city), drop in to see the Lab and we’ll get you talking with the folks who actually deal with it. I used to be really sold on the product, but now ????????

The Mideo system is a decent system for managing images, however when used to capture or enhance latent prints it leaves a lot to be desired. We were looking into an image enhancement/management system (several) years ago and MoreHits(now ADAMS) and Mideo were the two main players. Of the lab employees that reviewed it, only one was in favor of MoreHits. As a result we purchased Mideo (a few years ago), because Forensic Biology “has it so we must be uniform across the lab.” To date we have not got it up and running. The company says it needs more time to develop a “latent module” and claim they have never installed it for latent print enhancement purposes. Based on my experience with Mideo, I would strongly discourage your agency from pursuing them.

I saw your post on the Forum about Mideo. A while back, I participated in an audit of case work at the (forensic laboratory) and that was the system they had me use for latent capture. Actually they were just starting to transition to the system while I was there and I think that I was the first to use the system for actual case work. I know that they will be totally "Mideo'ed" (in a year or two). The case management software worked great. It was very easy to cross reference things and search the database. However, in my professional opinion, the image capture system, which consisted of a video camera, (was less than good). Even though it allowed for a live image on screen before capture, I would have preferred a digital camera instead. One of the major problems was the slow response time between focusing the lens and seeing the results on screen, sometimes as long as 20 seconds in high resolution mode. It was extremely frustrating and probably cost me three to four times the time needed to capture an image compared to a digital camera set up. Also, with the exception of the focus ring, all the other camera controls are software based, causing lags to response time. I don't know if this was an interface problem or software driver problem. If your department is going this route, try to keep a digital camera image capture system. The video cameras must stay mounted and tethered to the copy stand and computer limiting your ability to make those hard to get shots. Instead of moving the camera around, you have to manipulate the evidence and your light source. The video works okay recording lifts and impressions on flat surfaces by doesn't give you much flexibility. I'm sure the salesman has a great presentation and demonstration of the system to wow you, but put him in the real world and see what happens.

What about the quality of the photos? Are there any advantages to the actual quality of casework, or is this system more a convenience for documentation and reporting purposes? Does anybody out there use the system and recommend it to other labs?

[Andrew Schriever]

Pat,

I'm not a user of the system, but do have a little experience with digital imaging in the latent print field.

I assume that your agency is looking at this unit:

http://www.mideosystems.com/system_latent.asp

The first thing that I can comment on is that they need to turn the latents right side up in their demonstration!

Here is my opinion on these 'digital imaging solutions in a box'. Most are overpriced for what you get. Most of the features of these systems are available with common image processing applications like photoshop. Most offer subpar image capture solutions for the price. The benefit to these types of systems is the image storage and tracking capability (and that benefit is mostly to an agency with several examiners that doesn't have someone knowledgeable in computer networking to manage the database, or for a large agency that needs to distribute images to a wide variety of people outside of the latent print lab). Dont get me wrong, these systems have their place.

Here are some of the features listed from the MIDEO website and how they can be performed using Photoshop, plugins, and/or other windows applications:

"All acquired images are stored in a secure database that is password protected" - This can be accomplished by storing your evidentiary images on a server with Windows Server 2003.

"All images include an audit trail in order to maintain the integrity of the original" - A simple hash generation of original images by a number of free programs can perform the same task. If there is a question about the image integrity, hash the original again and compare the two.

"Latent print images can easily be printed at 1:1 and submitted to AFIS or side-by-side comparison" - Any digital image with a scale can be easily printed 1:1 with photoshop and most other image processing applications. I am unsure if they intend to print the images and then enter the printed image into AFIS. If so you are essentially making a copy of a copy of a copy. Ideally you would be able to import the processed digital image directly into AFIS, but it is unclear if this is possible with this system.

"Our latent print imaging system features a high resolution cooled 5 mega pixel camera..." - Thats nice, but you can get a 12 mega pixel camera body for around $4,500 or less (Nikon D2X). I regularly get image resolutions exceeding 2000 ppi with this camera. On top of that after talking to a member of SWGIT, the minimum recommended standards for comparative analysis image capture will be changing in the next revision (and I'll give you a hint that it's not getting lower). So a 5 megapixel camera may fall below SWGIT recommendations.

"The camera provides a full screen live display on a computer monitor" - I will admit that this is pretty cool and you can't do it with a Nikon D2X. But there are digital cameras on the market that have greater resolution than 5 mega pixels which offer a live preview of the photo.

Again, I am not trying to be overly critical of these systems. They have their place, but for the features that they offer they are generally grossly overpriced. For a lot less money you can get a very robust digital imaging system with better equipment.

You can buy a good digital imaging PC now for around $3,000 (Dell XPS 710's are right at $1500 or so). Adobe Photoshop CS3 extended is $1,000 from adobe, and likely less from a 3rd party vendor. 3rd party plugins for CS3 so that you can perform FFT and other processes, $1,500 (Clear ID from Ocean Systems and Fovea from Reindeer Graphics). Digital Camera is $4,500 if you go with the top of the line, and you can get really good quality cameras for half that. 24" Dell LCD monitors are going for around $500. SWGIT now recommends that evidentiary images be archived to RAID servers. You could probably set yourself up with a 10 terabyte server setup for $10-13K. An Epson 2400 for high quality prints will run you around $750, if you want to get crazy and go with a large format printer to print charts (up to 17" wide) you can get a Epson 4800 for around $2K. Note all prices are estimates, I'm sure that they will double all prices listed above for government contracts...

So taking even estimating high, you can get yourself a really kick rear digital setup, that will do everything the Mideo system can and more for around $25K. I have no idea what they are charging for their system, so I dont know how that stacks up.

I dont have a dog in the hunt and dont sell any products listed above, but if I was starting from the ground up I wouldn't buy one of these canned systems. Feel free to PM me or email me if you have any other questions.

Andrew Schriever
Target Assets Protection Forensic Services
andrew.schriever@target.com

[Andrew Schriever]

oops double post....

[Pat A. Wertheim]

Thanks, Andrew. I am NOT the most computer/DI oriented person in the business and I struggle trying to understand a lot of new technology. Give me an old MP-4 and some CPO sheet film and watch me go! Or, as I'm fond of saying, I was a pretty good 20th Century latent print examiner, stuck now in the 21st Century with no way to go back.

Your input helps a lot because, when we have the next meeting, I will have better ideas both about what we should do and what we should not do.

[George Reis]

Just to add to what Andrew said, putting together your own system doesn't require much expense or knowledge. Here's what you need:

Digital Camera (3 MP or more with macro focusing)
Flatbed Scanner
Computer
An Image Editing Application (such as Photoshop)
Printer (optional for latents)
Storage

One could really put together a system for as little as $5,000 that would do a great job for latent use. Add some extra software, more storage and a better camera and you can still keep it under $10,000 with no trouble.

The reason I started my business in 1995 was because I got angry at companies putting together $10,000 worth of equipment and selling them for $25,000 or more. It's still happening, and agencies are being convinced that they need these systems when they don't.

Pat - give me a call or drop me a note and we can discuss this. If it can wait until fall, I'll just come out and visit with you and talk about it (I'm not going to go to Arizona in the summer - sorry).

George

[Andrew Schriever]

George is 100% correct. The system that I outlined is pretty much top shelf. Quality and trustworthy imaging systems can be had for much less than the one I outlined. The reason I put together the expensive version was more to illustrate the amount of equipment you can get for what would likely be a similar price to their "canned" system.

One thing that I neglected to mention was training. You can have the best system around, but if you dont know how to use it you may have wasted money.

[Pat A. Wertheim]

I've received a few private emails from friends with comments about MIDEO versus building a system with separate pieces of equipment. We're having some demos in a couple of weeks. Any other comments from current users would be greatly appreciated, also questions we should ask. Comments here are good but if you would prefer to remain private, email me at foridents@aol.com

Thanks!