LEVA to provide free course on Video Essentials for First Responders at its 24th annual conference

The conference will have workshops, case studies and interactive seminars focused on forensic video and audio technologies

The Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Video Association (LEVA) will provide a free course, “Video Essentials for First Responders,” for attendees of its 2013 LEVA Digital Multimedia Evidence Training Symposium, which runs Sept. 9-13 at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Asheville, N.C. The 24th annual conference will also offer a mix of hands-on workshops, case studies, and interactive seminars focused on forensic video and audio technologies, as well as video production and editing tools.

Designed as an introduction to video evidence for law enforcement officials, “Video Essentials for First Responders,” is a daylong session on Sept. 10. The one-day $195 conference fee is waived for guest attendees of the class. “Video Essentials for First Responders” is limited to 90 students, and attendees do not have to be LEVA members to attend either the conference or the free course. Lunch is available for a small fee and will be served in the exhibit hall, where attendees will have free access to the exhibits and be eligible to win door prizes at the end of the day.

“This is a great opportunity for new and returning attendees to receive valuable LEVA training for free,” explained LEVA president Det. Blaine Davison, Norman Oklahoma Police Department. “Law enforcement budgets are tight, and some agencies can’t afford to send their people to get training. We’re hoping that by offering this class for free, it will allow those agencies to send officers or investigators to learn how to deal with surveillance video images, which are the most prolific type of evidence in law enforcement.”

Hands-on workshops will include “Forensic Image and Video Analysis,” a two-day course featuring Amped Software’s Amped Five forensic video enhancement software. Other interactive seminars include “Courtroom Testimony for Forensic Video Analysis” and “Forensic Photography for IAI Forensic Certification.” All conference program sessions can also be used toward LEVA certification.

Experts from Ocean Systems and Digital Audio Corp. will provide training on their video and audio forensic software, respectively, while Adobe will showcase its expansive video production product line. Plus, Future Media Concepts, a leader in digital media training, will offer a number of video production workshops. Other sessions will focus on apps for forensic video analysis, DVR recovery, and the Victoria Stafford abduction.

Many sessions throughout the five-day conference have limited availability, and pre-registration is required. For travel information, as well as the conference schedule and pricing options, visit leva.org.