What is examined
Examination of photographic images and the technical equipment used to produce them for court proceedings, an investigation, a claim or a report review.
The examination uses photographic images, source files, storage media, capture equipment, case documents and the questions posed.
Possible questions
- whether there are signs of image alteration;
- whether the file contains technical information about creation and saving;
- the quality and suitability of the image;
- whether the image could have been captured using particular technical equipment;
- whether there are signs of copying, transcoding or processing;
- whether the findings of a previous examination are substantiated.
What to provide
- the source file without forwarding through messaging apps, if possible;
- the storage medium and capture device;
- information about the date, place and capture conditions;
- comparison images where necessary;
- an investigative order, a court ruling or draft questions;
- the report, if a review is required.
Pricing
from RUB 70 000. The exact cost depends on the number of images, quality, format, number of questions, the need to examine a device and urgency.
How to pose a verifiable question about a photograph
A question about a photograph should be linked to a specific file and a disputed fact. The request “is the photograph authentic” may encompass different tasks: whether the image has been altered, whether it belongs to a particular series, which details of the object are discernible or whether technical information about capture conditions is available. Each task requires its own set of source data.
First, the exact image submitted is recorded: the file name and format, dimensions, available versions and the source from which it was obtained. The disputed area is then identified and its connection with the relevant fact explained. Specifying an area of the image helps organise the examination, but the full file is preserved: surrounding details may affect the assessment of lighting, perspective and the nature of transformations.
- For comparison of versions of the same photograph, both complete versions and information about their provenance are useful.
- For a question about capture conditions — related images from the series and known information about the location and device.
- To check a particular alteration — a description of the suspected fragment and the earliest available copy.
- To establish a link to technical equipment — the device itself or relevant comparison materials, where available.
The conclusion must relate to the properties checked, rather than to every circumstance of the depicted event. For example, established signs of file resaving require a separate explanation: ordinary export and intentional alteration of content are different possibilities that cannot be equated on the basis of a single technical sign.