There to be seen
The unexpected can always happen; imagine driving along a road when a vehicle ahead brakes sharply without reason. Hopefully you are able to brake in time to prevent a collision from occurring. For a driver in a recent case dealt with by TRL, this was the exact scenario they faced. Unfortunately, the driver was driving a bus, and a passenger on the bus fell forwards, sustaining serious injuries. Did the driver of the vehicle ahead contribute to the collision? This was the question facing those managing the incident. In this case, the driver of the vehicle ahead that braked suddenly did not stop, and the bus driver did not have time to make a note of the registration.
Often investigations into collisions such as this are hindered from the very start, when key details about the vehicle including the registration or make and model, are not known. This is very common in ‘fail to stop’ collisions and is exactly what occurred in this case. Thankfully, the bus was fitted with a camera system. The registration of the vehicle ahead was blurry and was only in shot for a few frames. It is often assumed that when such collisions are captured on video from dashcams or other CCTV systems, the problem resolves itself by simply using the video to identify the registration and/or make/model of the vehicle involved.
This is easier said than done. Very often the footage captured by CCTV cameras or dashcams is blurry or pixelated, leaving investigators grappling with the identity of the fleeing vehicle. The solution is forensic video analysis and video enhancement, which acts as a digital magnifying glass and can unveil previously unseen details. This technique allows the registration plate to be clarified in even the most challenging scenarios.
Video enhancement can also play a crucial role in uncovering other nuanced aspects of collisions. One of the key advantages lies in deciphering the sequence of movements leading up to an incident. By carefully analysing enhanced footage, investigators can gain insights into the actions of each vehicle involved, contributing to a more accurate reconstruction of the events.
For example, video enhancement can prove invaluable in assessing the speed of vehicles during a collision. This capability is particularly significant in understanding the dynamics of the incident and determining causation and contribution. Such information becomes instrumental not only in legal proceedings but also in enhancing road safety by identifying potential areas for improvement or highlighting patterns of high-risk behaviour.
Examples of video enhancement, before and after:
The images we see on TV and movies of an analyst tapping away at a keyboard to reveal a crystal clear image of the offending vehicle is pure fiction. The reality is that this type of work involves painstaking analysis by highly trained professionals to enhance footage to bring out key details in the video, which would allow important details regarding the registration or make/model to be gleaned.
When approached methodically and professionally, the newfound clarity can be a powerful tool in the hands of legal or insurance professionals seeking justice for their clients. Video enhancement empowers investigators to shed light on critical details, offering a clearer picture of the events leading up to the collision. This capability can be invaluable for legal firms and insurance companies aiming to build a comprehensive case or negotiate settlements based on accurate information. It is important such analyses are approached with careful consideration and should only be undertaken by qualified, trained and experienced analysts.
In our particular recent case, the analyst could enhance detail in the video around the area where the registration plate was positioned. This, along with stabilisation of the video, allowed the analyst to identify all but one character from the registration plate. Further checks on the possible matches led to the exact colour, make and model of the vehicle seen on the video. Once provided to the Client, they were able to progress matters with the third party insurance company.
Video enhancement can go far beyond that discussed here and can reveal hidden details that could be pivotal in investigations. Whether it is deciphering the sequence of movements, identifying obscured signage, or determining whether brake lights or indicators were applied, this type of analysis can provide a level of insight that was previously unattainable.
Whilst enhancement cannot be conducted on every piece of video, improvements can be made in many cases. TRL has a team of trained video experts who can assist with both video analysis, and enhancement.
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