Measured in Motion: Applying Forensic Metrology to Video Analysis

Video evidence doesn’t just capture what happened—it can also reveal how it happened, how fast, and how tall. But extracting accurate, defensible measurements from digital video requires more than simple observation; it requires a metrological mindset. This session explores the critical intersection of forensic metrology and video analysis, demonstrating how scientifically valid measurement principles can transform pixels into reliable quantitative data.

Attendees will learn how to approach measurement tasks such as object dimensions, person height estimation, and vehicle speed analysis using a structured methodology grounded in known scale, geometry, and uncertainty evaluation. Real-world examples will illustrate how factors like camera placement, lens distortion, compression, and perspective directly influence the accuracy of measurement results—and how these can be corrected or accounted for through proper calibration and documentation.

The presentation will also highlight best practices for validating measurement workflows and maintaining traceability to physical standards, ensuring that reported results meet the expectations of both scientific and legal scrutiny. By applying a metrological framework, analysts can move beyond visual interpretation to quantifiable, reproducible findings that support reconstruction, corroborate testimony, and withstand cross-examination.