Process
Introduction
This is Stage 3 of the Research Gate. This stage focuses on ordering and analyzing source media streams to extract technical data and convert raw footage into usable assets. This foundation is critical for the accuracy of the entire project.
CRITICAL: Never alter original source files. All manipulations (sharpening, un-distorting) must be done on duplicates/proxies. Log every filter & setting applied for transparency.
Ingest
Securely archive and hash all source material.
Analysis
Assess optics, artifacts, and metadata.
Processing
Enhance images and align footage temporally.
Source Intelligence (Analysis)
Ingest
The master archive, hashing/fingerprinting, and working-copy setup now live in Preserve & Store.
Segmentation
Clipping videos into separate segments, naming, and source grouping are covered in Preserve & Store. The actual frame/still extraction from those segments produces this stage's working assets.
Technical Assessment (See Camera Fundamentals for Investigation)
Source characterization (optics, artifacts, geometry) now lives in Collect.
Check for Metadata / Metadata Extraction (See Metadata Extraction)
Metadata handling now lives in Collect.
Temporal Alignment (See video alignment)
Sync all video footage to a single master real-world timeline (e.g., "Event Time 12:00:00") using metadata timestamps or visual anchors (e.g., a specific flash of light visible in all cameras).
Further Processing
Image Enhancement (Working Copies):
Create separate "Work Files" for selected images. See if lens distortion can be countered, reduce blur (sharpening), upscale, or adjust contrast to reveal stronger perspective lines.
Summary
In this phase, we have established a secure and organized foundation for the investigation. By strictly separating master archives from working copies and systematically analyzing the technical properties of each source, we ensure that all subsequent reconstruction steps are built on verified data.
Key Takeaways:
- Preservation: Always keep a pristine, hashed copy of original evidence.
- Organization: Use a consistent folder structure and naming convention.
- Analysis: Understand the technical limitations (distortion, artifacts) of your footage before modeling.
- Alignment: Sync multiple sources to a single timeline early in the process.
Documentation for Methodology
What to document during Ingestion & Processing
In Your Method Section
Describe the chain of custody for your digital assets. "All source material was hashed (SHA-256) upon receipt and stored in a read-only master archive. Working copies were generated for analysis. Metadata was extracted using [Tool Name] to establish camera parameters."
In Your Decision Log
Record the following:
- Hash values of original files.
- Any enhancements applied to working copies (e.g., "Applied unsharp mask to Frame 405 to read license plate").
- Estimated camera parameters when metadata was missing.
- Synchronization points used for temporal alignment.
Verification
"Checksums of working copies were verified against the master archive log to ensure data integrity."
Further Resources: