Image Search and Acquisition Services

The Satellite Image Evidence (SIE) Group offers a comprehensive image search and acquisition service for legal professionals to discover any and all image evidence relevant to a case. We search millions of image records to search for a particular site or location across the entire array of satellite and aerial image data providers in both the public and commercial sectors. After compiling a record of all imagery for a site, we analyze the list of imagery available according to all specifications and acquisition dates to find ones that may be germane to the case.

The results of our comprehensive search and analysis is summarized for the client in our SIE Discovery™ Report. This proprietary process and report developed by the SIE Group is designed to find image evidence when it exists, and is a vital part of the discovery phase of any case that has a physical or ground component that may benefit from image evidence. The SIE Discovery Report includes our recommendations for further action, is completely confidential, and becomes the property of our client. The standard fee for an image evidence search and SIE Discovery Report is $275, but is provided free of charge to our SIE Group partners.

Once imagery of a site has been identified as germane to a case, the SIE Group can acquire the imagery necessary on behalf of our client at cost (including our negotiated discounts with raw data providers/satellite operators). In cases where relevant imagery does not exist of a site, we can task a satellite to acquire current imagery of the site when it benefits the case. The SIE Discovery process also includes an ongoing search option to notify the client when any new imagery of a site from any source is collected. The SIE Group also offers site monitoring services, with regular imaging of a site or location of interest.

SIE DISCOVERY™ IMAGERY SOURCES

The following is a list of the primary imaging satellites which offer a potential for satellite image evidence through SIE Group's Discovery searches. As of 2008, there will be a constellation of nine super high resolution satellites in global operation with a spatial resolution of one meter or less. Additionally, there will be several others with around a two meter resolution, and two high resolution radar satellites with all-weather capability. Medium resolution satellites are also useful in detecting landscape change, characterizing land use, and providing environmental and other impact evidence over wider area land or water areas.

HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGING SATELLITES

• GeoEye-1 (Commercial/U.S., planned 2008, 41cm)

• WorldView-2 (Commercial/U.S., planned 2008, 45cm)

• WorldView-1 (Commercial/U.S., 2007-present, 45cm)

• Quickbird (Commercial/U.S., 2001-present, 60cm)

• EROS B (Commercial/Israel, 2006-present, 70cm)

• CARTOSAT-2 (India, 2007-present, 80cm)

• IKONOS (Commercial/U.S., 1999-present, 1m)

• OrbView-3 (Commercial/U.S., 2003-present, 1m)

• KOMPSAT-2 (Korea, 2006-present, 1m)

• TerraSAR-X (Germany, 2007-present, 1m radar)

• EROS A (Commericial/Israel, 2000-present, 1.8m)

• FORMOSAT-2 (Taiwan, 2004-present, 2m)

• KVR-1000 (Russia, 1985-1992/1998/2000, 2m)

• SPOT 5 (Commercial/France, 2002-present, 2.5m)

• CARTOSAT-1 (India, 2005-present, 2.5m)

• ALOS (Japan, 2006-present, 2.5m)

• RADARSAT-2 (Canada, 4th Q. 2007, 3m radar)

MEDIUM RESOLUTION IMAGING SATELLITES

• SPOT 5 (Commercial/France, 2002-present, 5m)

• RESOURCESAT-1 (India, 2003-present, 5.8m)

• IRS-1D (India, 1997-present, 5.8m)

• IRS-1C (India, 1995-present, 5.8m)

• KOMPSAT-1 (Korea, 1999-present, 6.6m)

• RADARSAT-1 (Canada, 1995-present, 8m radar)

• SPOT 4 (Commercial/France, 1998-present, 10m)

• ASTER (U.S., 1999-present, 15m)

• Landsat 7 (U.S., 1999-present, 15m)

• ENVISAT (Europe, 2002-present, 25m radar)

• NASA EO-1 (U.S., 2000-present, 30m hyperspectral)

• Landsat 5 (U.S., 1984-2001, 30m)

• Landsat 4 (U.S., 1982-1993, 30m)

• IRS-1B (India, 1991-1999, 36m)

• IRS-1A (India, 1988-1995, 36m)

The SIE Group utilizes current and historical aerial photography to compliment satellite image evidence. Sources of historical and current aerial photography for a site depend upon the region, state, and specific location, but generally include numerous private companies as well as a host of government sources. Federal sources of aerial imagery include the National Aerial Photography Program (NAPP) and its predecessor program the National High Altitude Photography Program (NHAP), the U.S. Geological Survey, NASA, and declassified satellite photos. State, county, and municipal governments are also often excellent sources of aerial photography.  

The nature of a case will determine the type of satellite and aerial imagery that will most benefit the case as evidence, with color imagery being the most prevalent, but also black and white (or panchromatic), color infrared, multispectral, hyperspectral, and radar imagery being useful in many cases. Low resolution satellite imagery is useful in evidence for establishing meteorological/weather conditions, as well as showing drought, flooding, or ocean conditions over large areas.

INITIATE AN IMAGE EVIDENCE SEARCH

To initiate an image evidence search, (1) call 1-800-972-9893 to discuss your case with an SIE Group analyst, (2) e-mail a request to siegroup@archergeographic.com, or (3) print and fill in a fax search request form and fax to (608) 824-9426.