CCTV Technology

[chrisqqgx4]

In the UK there is an extensive CCTV programme running throughout the country, and especially in major cities. The BBC have this news story about the "West End Rapist":

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/4556650.stm

in which is the most indistinct image I have ever seen. I was confused when the accompanying text said "...The attacker, who first struck in October, is described as about 6ft tall, dark-skinned and in his late 20s." I would have said from that image alone than he was white.

Is this the best image they could get? I heard from a man in a pub that it is blurred on purpose to hide a key piece of identification like acne scars or a monobrow, but surely the police would release the best quality image they had.

 

[Starthinker]

That picture looks more like an extreme blow-up than a close, blurry camera. Maybe the camera was taking in a whole parking lot or lobby and they just cropped him out and blew it up.

 

[luchog]

That picture looks more like an extreme blow-up than a close, blurry camera. Maybe the camera was taking in a whole parking lot or lobby and they just cropped him out and blew it up.

The resolution makes me think that as well.

Plus, it looks like it was shot at night, which means that the camera was probably dependent upon IR illumination, which will tend to make skin tones lighter.