Time Period: 01.01.2021 - 30.04.2023
Funding Volume: 700.000,00€
Funded by: Research for Civil Security program “Innovative Users: Research for Civil Security Security II”
Alexander Knepper
Göttingen Police Headquarters/Department 11
e-Mail: alexander.knepper@polizei.niedersachsen.de
Motivation
The jewelry heist in Dresden’s Green Vault and the theft of the 100 kilogram gold coin from the Bode Museum in Berlin are examples of the fact that the possibilities of clearly identifying suspects from existing camera surveillance are limited. Although footage was available in both cases, its value for prosecution is limited. The possibilities to obtain unique biometric data from facial features are limited by the quality of the images and identification can be prevented with masks or scarves. In order to solve such crimes, new methods must be developed.
Biometric data can be obtained not only from facial images. Special features of the movement sequence can also make it possible to identify a person. The aim of COMBI is to investigate whether and how information can be obtained from surveillance footage that allows the forensic identification of suspects on the basis of such characteristics. To this end, practical film material will be created and evaluate it using innovative computer-aided analyses. The legal and ethical dimensions and limits of this procedure will also be examined.
This project offers the prospect of being able to identify suspects on film footage more precisely than before, even if they are masked or not facing the camera. This will make it possible to recognize connections between different crimes, convict offenders more easily and solve crimes more quickly. The new methods for clear identification will also make it much easier to provide evidence in court.