No, really, I am! I got called to testify in an armed robbery case today since I did a great deal of video analysis on the surveillance video for the case. I was on the stand for over half an hour going over the stills that I captured and giving the jury of a description of how the video enhancement system worked. At one point during the process the prosecutor asked me a question about one of the pictures, and I said, "May I give my opinion?"

See, the only people allowed to give opinions on the stand are Expert Witnesses. And a court has to certify you as an Expert Witness (after going over your Curriculum Vitae and then asking you a million questions.) Meanwhile the defense is trying to limit your area of Expertise as much as possible. Fortunately for me, the judge ruled that it was worthwhile to have me certified as an Expert Witness, and deemed me to be an expert in Video Analysis and Digital Imaging.

This really is a way cool thing. It is a big plus on a resume or CV, and of course it is a big plus in any more trials I testify in. Everyone at the lab was psyched for me too, since the more experts they have the better the lab looks.

Now I just need to get certified in the Computer Forensics!