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Human height estimation from highly distorted surveillance image
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Publication date
Authors
Tosti, Francesco
Nardinocchi, Carla
Ciampini, Claudio
Marsella, Maria
Lopes, Pierpaolo
Giuliani, Samuele
Wahbeh, Wissam
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wiley
Abstract
Video surveillance camera (VSC) is an important source of information during inves-
tigations especially if used as a tool for the extraction of verified and reliable foren-
sic measurements. In this study, some aspects of human height extraction from VSC
video frames are analyzed with the aim of identifying and mitigating error sources
that can strongly affect the measurement. More specifically, those introduced by lens
distortion are present in wide-field-of-view lens such as VSCs. A weak model, which
is not able to properly describe and correct the lens distortion, could introduce sys-
tematic errors. This study focuses on the aspect of camera calibration to verify human
height extraction by Amped FIVE software, which is adopted by the Forensic science
laboratories of Carabinieri Force (RaCIS), Italy. A stable and reliable approach of cam-
era calibration is needed since investigators have to deal with different cameras while
inspecting the crime scene. The performance of the software in correcting distorted
images is compared with a technique of single view self-calibration. Both approaches
were applied to several frames acquired by a fish-eye camera and then measuring
the height of five different people. Moreover, two actual cases, both characterized
by common low-resolution and distorted images, were also analyzed. The height of
four known persons was measured and used as reference value for validation. Results
show no significant difference between the two calibration approaches working with
fish-eye camera in test field, while evidence of differences was found in the measure-
ment on the actual cases.
Description
Keywords
Camera calibration, Height measurements, Image distortion, Photogrammetry, Space resection, Terrestrial laser scanner, Vanishing line and point
Citation
DOI of the original publication
Citation
Tosti, F., Nardinocchi, C., Ciampini, C., Marsella, M., Lopes, P., Giuliani, S., & Wahbeh, W. (2021). Human height estimation from highly distorted surveillance image. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 67(1), 332–344. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.14888