THUNDER BAY — The Thunder Bay Police Service is looking for public input on its use of video analytics and use of artificial intelligence software.
According to a media release issued by the Thunder Bay Police Service, video analytics are used to assist in investigations relating to missing persons, abductions, violent crimes, property crimes, and sudden deaths.
With updates in technology, the police service has been gathering a growing number of video recordings and surveillance footage but it is also posing significant challenges when it comes to processing and examining that footage.
The police service has acquired Briefcam, a video analytics program that uses artificial intelligence to process video files for review.
“We are currently testing this technology as an additional investigative aid,” said Chris Adams, director of communications and technology with the Thunder Bay Police Service. “Essentially, Briefcam is a very versatile search engine which reduces massive video recordings into more manageable durations which greatly assists police investigations.”
Briefcam allows investigators to search videos based on key identifies such as types of vehicles, colours of vehicles, clothing, accessories such as backpacks, hats, and direction of travel of an object.
A compressed timeline is created by the software containing the key identifiers in the video allowing the investigator to locate and review the video that contain the objects identified.
“Video analytics will have a significant impact by dramatically reducing the amount of time required to examine huge video files for potential evidence in police investigations,” Adams said. “Some investigations require the review of thousands of hours of video.”
The use of this technology is governed by policies set out by the Thunder Bay Police Services Board. There are also strict procedures in place on the limited use of facial recognition, such as in cases involving missing persons.
Those interested in providing input can fill out the anonymous survey online here: Thunder Bay Police Service video analytics survey.
