Thank God for Mr.
Daubert
Who has helped stop bad technology?
By : Nick Markowitz Jr.
Fire Investigator
You may have read in the Newspapers or seen on TV the 60
Minutes program where a
Technology known as “ Ballistics Lead Analysis “ which could determine if a particular Bullet
,came from a particular box of ammunition has been thrown out as junk science
and may no longer be used in a court of law .
This ruling was based on a court case from many years back
which has developed into what is now known as a” Daubert Challenge “ where a
defendant has the right to challenge an experts credibility at trail.
Daubert decisions have thrown out many items in the field of
fire investigation which were taken as matter of fact in courts of law but
never ever scientifically proven like.
Collapsed springs on a bed or alligator charred wood was a
sign that an accelerant was used. Innocent people where put behind bars based
on testimony which had no factual basis .Yet for years because a so called
arson expert said this is what happened it became an excepted testimony till
some one put up a Daubert Challenge
In effect the statements being made in court by expert
witnesses where asked. Your testimony is “based on what”
The Daubert Challenge came about in the federal court system
over a series of 3 trials.
Daubert VS. Merrel Dowell Pharmaceutical
General Electric Corp. Vs. Joiner
Kumho Tire Vs. Carmichael
These trials help to ask the question of credibility when it
came to expert witness testimony, and the methods they used to arrive at there
conclusion.
Modern Investigators like myself must base our
investigations and testimony based on the Scientific Method . Not rumor not
suggestion or innuendo but on provable science.
And this is why many so called arson cases when reexamined
fail to meet the standards.
Now there are those who claim that scientific examination
can miss items and even be skewed to show favor one way or the other. But this
is not the case when a complete audit trail of how a test and the evidence used
was completed.
Yes finger prints and even DNA has been manufactured and
been used to throw cases but
The science eventually catches up and proves or disproves
what happened .
Science everyday is slowly revealing what really happened in
our past and Daubert Challenges are there in our court system to help make sure
conclusions are valid.
As we enter into the Digital Age more and more technology is
coming into our court systems and we must insure that this technology is valid
or we will be right back where we started several years ago to insure court
trails are fair and beyond a reasonable doubt.
When a verdict is announced.
One such technology I see facing this challenge is the use
of Digital imaging and Analytic s and how it has been handled and manipulated to
show a suspect and there actions.
The more the case relies on a single digital picture or clip
as the whole effort to convict the more you can bet on the fact that more
Daubert Challenges will be thrown up .Which they should be if there is any
doubt an image has been illegally manipulated.
Analytic s allow for a suspect to be identified even thou
they have a hood and complete body covering clothes to be identified by a way
they walk etc.
Which is all controlled by how a computer has been
programmed to interpret the information and since all we are talking about is a
stream of- I and O’s
They can be manipulated as well as the electronics failing
to function properly as well.
I see many challenges coming into the courts as criminals
get wise to how to try and beat these systems.
25 years ago I saw just such a case where many traffic speeding tickets
got thrown out here in Pa.
when an Electrical Engineer was able to go into a local court
And prove that when a police officer sitting in a undercover
car and was using the timing system
VASCAR to check speed could accidentally skew the results when he put
the cars magnetic revolving red light
which has a very strong magnet to hold it on the roof
Next to the VASCAR system .
The officer unknowingly caused the system to not work
properly so this is why we must be certain when using technology we get the
right results and why Daubert is there to do so. So thank you Mr. Daubert and all those who
where involved in the 3 cases who helped to keep our justice system fair and
balanced.
The Fire just waiting
to start in your home
Counterfeit and Knock
off Electrical Items
By Nick Markowitz Jr.
Fire Investigator
You find yourself on a nice sunny spring day deciding to go
for a walk what better way to enjoy it than a stop at a local Flea Market and
all the great smells from food vendor’s carts and the busy activity everywhere.
Unfortunately though you do not realize that choices you
make this day may well result in the destruction of your home and possibly your
family.
You see a vendor selling all kinds of new cheap dollar stuff
from many different boxes he has laying on plastic sheeting on the ground and
find he has some plug strips you have been needing for your computer system and
kitchen , very cheaply priced at $3.00
each compared to $12.99 at hardware store .
So you buy a couple unaware what you think is a good deal on a
legitimate item is actually a very dangerous built counterfeit or look alike
Knock Off .
You go home plug in your computer system and start working
with your new laser printer
And get it all set
up and ready to go. Its getting late and time to go to bed and you leave your
computer on and printer becuse it also works as a fax machine.
You go to bed to be woken up by your smoke detector becuse
your house is filling with smoke. You wake everyone up and get everyone out
just in time as flames come out of the family room where the computer is
located.
Luckily tonight everyone is safe and firefighters arrive to
stop the fire in the family room but there’s water and smoke damage everywhere.
The Fire Marshal Arrives after the fire is out and begins
his investigation. He traces the fires origin to near where the plug strip was
plugged in but it is almost totally destroyed. Luckily you have the duplicate
strip from the kitchen to give him and upon closer examination he finds it is
counterfeit a knockoff made to look like a good product but made very cheaply
instead of a 14# gauge wire cord it is only 16# gauge and can only carry half
the 15 amps the packaging says it can carry the switch is inferior and also
undersized the unit has no UL or other testing agency’s approval and no
manufacturers name on it other than made in China.
This plug strip never should have been imported and sold in
this country it is absolutely illegal under Federal Import rules yet every day
illegal and dangerous items made cheaply and dangerously make it into this
country and are being sold at Flea Markets, Dollar stores and 2nd
hand/variety type stores.
This is a serious problem just a survey of local flea
markets here in the Pittsburgh
area
Revealed 10 out of 12 visited had illegal items for sale.
All of them having been imported illegally thru an importer in New York City.
But when it comes to electrical items it not just small
stuff being made its large frame breakers and switch gear as well Cutler Hammer
a division of Eaton Corp has started a campaign to make electricians aware of
knockoffs as well. Can you imagine the apartment or office building you may be
in has illegal copycat electrical switch gear items in it. But it happens, it
even happens in the airline and automotive industry as well and has caused
numerous accidents and deaths and it is a growing problem. Some times
manufacturers will also illegally copy the UL
testing label just to make an item look legit as well.
The Consumer Products Safety Commission also known as CPSC
is in charge of protecting consumers from dangerous products and they have
field agents in every state
But with the proliferation of illegal items coming into this
country, agents are often overwhelmed and they need input from average citizens
to report dangerous items when they come across them. Almost weekly the CPSC
issues bulletins about all kinds of dangerous items being recalled from
children’s toys with lead paint issues to exploding candles to lawnmowers with
blades that break.
A recent effort by the CPSC is a downloadable booklet which
is being issued to every
2nd hand and variety type stores to help them
identify dangerous products they may be selling so they can be removed and
destroyed of properly. The selling of items like the above mentioned
Counterfeit items.
Merchants and vendors who continue to sell these dangerous
items face fines well in excess of $10,000.00 as well as all illegal items they
bought to resell seized and destroyed.
The only way to stop this scourge going across the country
is by consumers becoming educated and learning what to avoid if it sounds too
good it usually is.
For more information on how to spot dangerous products or to
report a dangerous product check out www.cpsc.gov
The Killer Winter
Storm of 2010
Has proven the lack
of foresight
And planning when it
comes to using
Digital Technology
By: Nick Markowitz Jr.
The winter of 2010 has been a real challenge for Power
Company’s and there crews
With snow amounts of 36+ inches plus temperatures in the
single digits and lower.
But one thing which has been a real headache is the ability
of individuals to communicate.
The problem the continuing increase in the use of Digital
technology for phone and 2 way radio communication along with remote control.
When the power is on everything works fine but loose power
any where along the path and all chaos begins. Since analog technology gets powered
from only one end such as POTS- Plain Old Telephone Service.
Digital requires
power at both ends such as T1, DSL, Cable, FIOS and other Broad Band services.
While some of these services provide a 8 hr battery back up
which is fine for most minor power outages when it goes over 8 hrs and starts
stretching into 24 hours to several days
with out power this is when real problems start setting in and the problem with
Broad Band signals when they go out you loose all signals and phone lines. But
you say no problem we have installed bigger back up batteries at out location
to make sure the phones stay on, not so fast my friend. Digital Broad Band
services require several repeaters along its route before it gets to you. This
means broad band providers have to have back up batteries located in boxes on
telephone poles or in underground vaults along the way to insure the signal
stays on.
Loose one of these repeaters any where along the path and
every one beyond this point looses service.
Well no big deal you say our employees have cell phones they
can use. That’s fine and dandy if the towers are working and not overloaded and
they have power but while some
Towers have back up batteries and generators some do not and
this does not mean they will come on and operate properly. And also T3 circuits
run between towers to get signals to land lines if there out guess what you can
call cell phone to cell phone but not to a land based line. Now what are you
going to do when you need 911.
Keep in mind also cell phones need charged do the employees
have there charger with them do you have power to charge them and if there is
no power do the have a car charger they can use or did most come to work by
public transit.
No problem I will just send every one home but what if you
are a nursing or other facility how are you going to move patients now that you
have no power no alarms and no communication. No problem 911 will get a bus or
other transit here so we can evacuate to a warming center really; remember all
the snow out there emergency responders will be lucky if they can get to you.
In fact the emergency responders are having there own
problems since those same T1 and other Broad band services allows remote 911
dispatchers to get radio transmissions out to Fire and Police so in some cases
they can not use there 2 way radio systems properly and those depts. using trunked
digital 2 way radios there having problems as well since the repeaters are out
as well so communicating for them is
difficult becuse many digital radios do not have simplex channels which allow
radio to radio communication they must got thru the repeater tower which is not
working becuse the power is out to it.
So now you find your self sitting in the dark. No phone, No
Power, No heat No help coming and 20 patients to deal with what are you going
to do.
Think digital was worth getting rid of all the POTS lines
for the money you where saving. Better think it over again.
Analog is sure technology which works those little red boxes
many towns had which worked no matter what are all gone now as well. Yes Analog
maybe a dinosaur in today’s modern world
but with out proper back up and planning
it is a sure fire proven technology.
There would not be a
need for the FCC
If Businesses behaved
themselves?
By Nick Markowitz Jr
Believe it or not we would not need an FCC and many other government agencies if
People/business would learn to behave them selves but since
we can not we allow government to get out of hand and grow bigger everyday.
So how did the FCC come in to being it was because in the
early day of AM Radio Stations individuals would put up stations where ever
they thought on the band and run them at what ever power they felt like. In
particular with the night time atmosphere issues which allow the signal to
travel many miles when it was dark cites on the west coast where unable to
listen to there local stations because east coast stations would not reduce
there power and vies versus , east stations where pounded by west stations .This
was even a day time problem where 2 stations on same band where over powering
each other So instead of the people who owned the stations sitting down and
working out a way everyone could be happy
they instead kept fighting and arguing becuse of the almighty buck and
no one wanted to give an inch because of greed and allowed the FCC to be
established and then no one has been happy since.
It is the same old story you see it all the time some one
opens up a business and starts making great money then others get into the same
business until the market saturates and then no one makes money. Be it
Laundromats, mini storage facilities etc.
And of course since the first ones in want to be the only
ones doing what they do so they can charge what ever they want , they try every
dirty trick they can use to stop the others
From trying to fairly compete and then the government and the courts are
the only one you can call to keep big business in line. There is no one else to
call.
Time and time again business has proven it can not behave it
self and another regulatory agency comes about. OSHA, EPA, MSHA, USDA, FDA,
NIOSH, CPSC, NIST have all come about because big business can not behave it
self. A small handful of individuals are responsible for all the rules and
regulations we now follow. It is not
getting any better as corporations continue to turn out products no one wants
and corporations keep doing what they dam well please. This same problem is now
playing out over in India
with an
Electric Car Manufacturer who will not recall there cars for
repair even though a number of them have experienced ignition problems which
have caught the cars on fire.
And the same thing has happened here in the USA with the
big 3 until CPSC with court order stepped in and forced a recall.
A responsible company would have realized they had a problem
and recalled there cars
And fixed the problems and come out of it smelling like a
rose Instead they sat there and denied it and smugly ignored everyone till
courts ordered it. Then they sit there and wonder why there stock price has
bottomed out. Until Big Business gets its act together and starts acting
responsibly just get use to more and more regulations and bigger and bigger government
it is what we deserve when we can not behave our selves. When we do not
complain, when we do not hold individuals accountable for there actions.
When we reward bad behavior. We leave the door open for over
regulation and bigger government and eventually a Nanny State
becuse we can do nothing for our selves and this leads to Socialism and then
communism. Which is exactly what we have allowed to happen . We now have a
government that tells us what to do when to do it and where to do it. Because
we could not take a stand as citizens and do the right things.
Think I am wrong then name me 10 things you can do which
there is not some type of government regulation.
This temporary wiring
set up
By registered
electricians
Could have gotten some one killed!
By Nick Markowitz Jr.
Fire Investigator
I was listening on my scanner the other day when I heard the
local Fire Marshal call dispatch and request a Police Officer on scene to
identify a worker refusing to identify himself to the FM who was checking out a
citizens complaint over how a large tent was set up in a shopping center .
After requesting the Police the worker all of a sudden found
his wallet and identified himself as working for an electrical contractor and
the FM cancelled the Police.
Just another interesting day in the life of a Fire Marshal.
Next day I get a call from the FM he had some electrical
questions plus a story to go with it.
Seems like one of the local merchants was getting ready for
a 3 day tent sale and got permission and permits to put up the tent in the
shopping centers large parking lot and hired an registered electrical
contractor to provide 120 volt outlets and data lines for cash registers out to
the tent. The tent was a properly erected fire resistant tent ,but the
electricians who came on site decided to run the temporary wiring out thru the
store lobby by clipping it to the wall and then drilling a hole in a outside
Fire emergency exit door then running
the wire across the side walk and road way by means of a small conduit pipe
with a wooden 2x4 on each side to protect the pipe as cars ran it over.
Needless to say the FM got on site saw the way the wire was
run and had them remove it immediately.
So then the next day they run the wire from the roof along
with the low voltage wires over top a temporary pole which was not fastened
properly and the low and high voltage wires should not be tied to each other.
The FM asked the electrician about it and he said that’s the way they always do
it. So needless to say he called me and a couple other electrical experts on
what should be done to make things safe we each cam on site and gave our
suggestions and a electrical inspector is due the morning of the sale to make
sure things are right. If not the sale will be cancelled or they will run it
with no power.
Which again brings up the question these are registered
insured electricians doing work they knew was improper but did it any ways because there not in the city of Pittsburgh and figured they could get away with
it because its out in the suburbs.
So once again we prove even thou laws are in place and
licensing and registration and everything else is in place and a contractor
chooses to ignore it.
Except this time he did not get away with it and he has done
nothing but squeal like a stuck pig saying he is loosing all kinds of money .
He would not be loosing money and he would have made a profit had he properly designed
the job and stuck with the principle of doing it right but because he thought he
had a bunch of suckers he could pull the wool over there eyes he slopped the
wiring ,and has now been caught.
Needless to say any time in the future this companies name
comes up in this community they will be taking an extra look because they have
proven they can not be trusted.
Now im sure the other excuse he will try to use to the FM is
everyone else was doing it this way so he could not put the system in properly. Because the store would not pay the price for a proper install. In this case I
would have declined to do the work to even give a bid and would have called the
code enforcement office to advise them to keep an eye on things which is what
appears to have happened.
The store manager did everything right and followed what she
was told to do, it is strictly the electricians fault for what happened.
But of course the electrician feels he is being picked on
and singled out which is not the case at
all .He was conducting bad business and should pay for it.
Understanding Modern Digital Video Surveillance
Systems
And Keeping the recording secure and court admissible
By Nick Markowitz Jr.
Fire Investigator- Alarm Installations
A young man sets a fire outside a local grocery store
loading dock and is caught by the stores Surveillance Camera System in which
police obtain a CD of the incident from the store manager who has called the
local security company who has sent a tech to pull and record it.
The court hearing arrives and the young man walks free when
the judge rejects the video during a suppression hearing despite the fact the
young man is clearly visible in daylight and color .What went wrong.
3 items chain of custody a lack of a Water Mark on the CD to
show tampering did not take place and the system is also Internet Accessible.
So how do you make sure you have a solid conviction and
video evidence that will hold up in court . It starts with understanding the
technology and its vulnerabilities.
In the old days surveillance systems were known as CCTV
systems Closed Circuit Television Systems.
The earliest systems were composed of a Camera the size of a
big shoe box and a small
9” B&W TV Monitor which had to be constantly watched and
monitored ,which were developed in the early 60’s for business. Then in the
early 70’s an easy to use tape recorder came on the market known as the
VCR which used standard VHS Cassette
tapes instead of some very expensive real to real recorders some sophisticated systems
used or in the case of banks and savings and loans
which used stationery 35 MM film cameras. The VCR
revolutionized camera systems allowing most business owners to install a camera
and recording system for around $2500.00 a camera. As systems became more
popular and affordable Electronics was totally revolutionizing Camera systems
by eliminating tubes and allowing images to be captured on a Integrated chip
set plus the advent of SMD Surface Mount Device technology which
has allowed cameras to be miniaturized to the point they are almost totally un-recognizable
.However VCR units lagged behind many could only real time record for several
hours so to get around this they used a technique called Time Lapse recording
now you could record up to 720 hours on one tape but one problem was the unit
only took photos every few seconds allowing much activity to go on and not be
recorded and then in a famous case with
a nanny accused of child abuse in the UK a large lawsuit came forth after it was
reveled the jerky film the VCR produced was wrongly used to convict the nanny
and her case was thrown out . But finally after many years a VCR which could
record 24 hrs real time on one tape .However 1 month at a time was what was
really wanted but the units did the job most tapes easily went thru court
challenges because it is hard to change video tape and tamper with it at the
time but that was soon to change. In the late 90,s as portable computers became
more powerful with there video capabilities like Apples I Book there came to be
what is known as the DVR or Digital Video Recorder there are basically 3 types
of DVR units one which is built into a desk top computer case via a line card and
utilizes the computers hard drive for storage .The others are known as Embedded
or dedicated units which
Are stand alone boxes with built in hard drive and software
some of which the hard drive can be removed for allowing multiple hard drive
archiving.
There are now IP Network based DVR systems known as NVR capable
of recording 64 or more cameras real time for up to 1 yr or more as the
technology jumps weekly.
Cameras have also drastically changed what was once a camera
that had to be hooked up to a dedicated DVR box to be recorded there are now
totally independent IP Based Cameras you can buy for your home and business
under $200.00 and view over the internet.
While all of this is bringing us fantastic video we never
would have gotten back in the old Analog Camera days the new technology can and
has been challenged in court and been denied and beaten because of concerns
over tampering. Every Digital device puts out a stream of I/O data which can be
manipulated unless it is properly locked down and secured and even then hackers
are beating even the most secure of systems every day.
So How do you insure what video you have when challenged in
court will be able to meet the test .It starts with understanding which system
you have who the manufacturer is and what its capabilities and vulnerabilities
are. Systems today can be watched clear across the country or the world and in
live real time by Central Station Security agencies paid to monitor sites 24/7.
Systems can be as simple as a 4 camera system with a simple DVR box in a back
room to multi camera multi technology systems all being used at once like in a
casino.
Let’s start with the basic small system you might find at
the corner convenience store. They likely have 4-8 cameras tied to one of 2 DVR
units either an embedded DVR or a Desktop computer. The system may even be tied
to the stores high speed computer or
POTS line so the owner can look in when he is not there.
Ok here are questions which must be asked for even a very
simple system.
No 1# is the DVR locked in a cabinet? If it is who has
access what kind of locking mechanism is
it a common key or is it open on a shelf so anyone has access. Does the DVR
require codes to manipulate the buttons or can they be locked down were they
locked down can it be proved on a log.
No2# If the DVR is a desk top computer type is it also used
to do other programs and go online. If so who has access and when? Does the
computer have Anti Virus, Anti Spy ware Anti Root Kit running and updated is it
behind both a software and hardware firewall with up to date software.
No3# Does the DVR have a built in anti tamper system such as
a Water Mark or other feature to warn when a video has been altered.
No4# Does the DVR have the capability to log who and when it
was accessed.
No5#Does the DVR have a built in CD/DVD Burner so recordings
can be instantly burned or does a tech have to come on site with a laptop to
pull the recording and burn it.
No6# Is the tech who is pulling the video using a dedicated
laptop just for pulling video or does he use it to access internet and other
programs? Did he take all antivirus etc precautions does he use the lap top on
WIFI or Cellular system which could be compromised.
No7# Does the DVR have a removable Hard drive who has keys
and does DVR record when it has been removed.
No8# Is the DVR remote reviewable who has access how is it
accessed Internet Browser based or special software or both what level of user and pass codes are used?
are they simple or
complex the codes is it logged in DVR who accessed and when?
No9# Was video when it was pulled handed directly to police
or court authorized officer or was it given to manager who gave it to officer
at later time and date?
No10# were there any IP cameras tied to this DVR system is
it a hybrid DVR
No11# Who installed ,programmed and services the system are
they available to testify as to what there role is in the system if needed
If you can not answer all the above questions in my court to
my satisfaction proper precautions were taken, your video has now been quashed
period.
The reason as you can see there are so many ways the digital
stream could be tampered with it is almost impossible to prevent it in some
cases even with the water mark. Also what is there to taking the cd burn it
back to a VCR tape and no one is the wiser. You bring a supposed VCR tape in
which was originally digital and you can not tell unless very sophisticated
examination is done so now even all tapes are suspicious. This is why absolute
chain of custody must be kept and any copy’s etc noted and all master copy’s
kept secure in the chain of custody.
Which brings us to tampering .Having worked for a company
who is now defunct that did remote video recording I was called one day to go
from Pittsburgh are to a Cleveland Ohio Welfare High rise on 13th
street where a shooting had occurred overnight to retrieve the video for the
police. The system consisted of 2 desk top computers DVR’s each with 16 cameras
and when I went to pull the video yes you guessed right it was not there .The
guards for the complex had used the computers online and gotten virus in them
which crashed the hard drives and lost all possibility of retrieving the
footage and remote site did not record the incident either suspect walked
because no one would come forward.
Plus there are many other problems which can happen.
Lets say you have a recording involving a capital case on
one of the cheaper DVR’s which have no CD/DVD Burner do you take the DVR as
evidence and aggravate the store owner who now has no recording system in some
cases I have impounded a unit then had a back up tape system I lent got there
DVR back also what about the tech pulling the video is the officer right there
when video was pulled which can take a while or did he go else where in store
and come back to it. If he did chain of evidence is broken.
Ok have a given you a headache are you saying to your self
what about my past cases “What If”?
If you are review them now and be ready in case a challenge
arises as defense attorneys
Now its time to talk about hybrid and IP based systems
The IP Camera is a camera which can sit stand alone all by
itself on an Intranet or Internet Connection and can be viewed by any computer
on the network which has proper software or in some cases all that’s needed is
an Internet Browser and user and password or it can be both .
A Hybrid DVR allows conventional cameras and IP cameras be
connected to it.
When multiple IP cameras are used they are recorded to a NVR
Network Video Recorder
It is basically a DVR that sits on the Intranet or Internet
and records all feeds from cameras assigned to it. The record capability of IP
cameras is fantastic however they come with a whole new set of concerns when it
comes to tampering. Again all the video is broken down to a code stream of
I/O’s which can be manipulated with any computer and the right software this is
where the person installing and setting these cameras up have to be extremely
skilled to insure they are not tampered with.
Let alone when the cameras are used behind a corporate
systems Firewall. Which is a whole different subject.
So what questions should you be able to answer in court this
time
No1# Is the IP camera system Hybrid or stand alone
No2#Is the IP system on its own dedicated wiring network or
regular business network
No3# Where does camera video stream record to is it a
secured location and how is it secured
No4# who set up the network a tech with some computer
knowledge or a Microsoft or Cisco Certified Network or similar qualified
technician
No5# Are cameras before or with in company firewall are
cameras video streams encrypted or otherwise secured.
No6# Is video pulled from NVR watermarked or otherwise
tamper resistant
No7# How is the NVR accessed Browser special software both
what are the user and security levels who is allowed to view.
No8# Could you also apply any of the above questions from
the first set of questions
Your head should be pounding right about now.
Now also consider the considerable headache when these IP
cameras are behind a corporate fire wall with all your computers and some kiddy
hacker gets into the video stream and then the company computers and it has
happened.
This is one reason I am not putting in many of these cameras
as there are not enough security features built in yet in many case’s.
So what can you do to help prevent problems use this
checklist i have developed to answer all questions possible when you go to
court.
Disclaimer
This document at time of publication
covers the best available information at the time but DVR/NVR technology is
moving so fast it is very hard to keep up with
Wear by Nicholas J. Markowitz also known
as Nick Markowitz Jr and Markowitz Electric Protection
Shall not be held responsible for any
inaccuracies and uses of this document are at own risk
Questionnaire for DVR
NVR VCR Surveillance Systems
No1# Is the system
stand alone VCR DVR or
NVR or Hybrid
No2# Who is manufacturer of equipment –Model numbers
No3# How many cameras
on system and what type whose make and model
No4# DIY or Professional Install who installed ,programs
maintains system.
Are they sup enable if needed for court to support your
claim recording is not tampered with
No5# type of wiring method used Coax or Cat 5 with Balun’s
No6# is hard drive removable –common key -
No7# is there a built in CD/DVD/ or tape recorder what style or type?
No8# has DVR/NVR Manufacturer built in a Water Mark or other
security feature can you show how it works?
No9# Does DVR/NVR have an activity log can it be dumped or otherwise
displayed to court?
We must never forget
what happened during WWIII
Or we will be
condemned to repeat it.
By nick Markowitz Jr.
I want to start this article by first stating that I am not
of Jewish Decent although my last name has a Jewish type spelling to it which
happened when immigration agents changed my grandfather’s last name many years
ago. We are still not sure what the original spelling was but we know he
emigrated from the Ukraine
area, Galitzia Austria
to be exact
And that he was a farm peasant. With this stated .
I do want to talk about the atrocities that
happened across Europe During WWII and what is being billed as the
last full trial proceeding against an individual being accused of being a guard
at the Nazi concentration Camp .
While many Nazi meet there fate at Nuremberg many more escaped including the now
accused low level Sobibar Camp Guard John Demjanjuk 89 a retired US Auto worker
who Prosecutors a ledge was responsible for the deaths of 250,000 Jews, gays
.gypsies and other undesirables.
Many might say he is 89 let him live out his life in peace
after all he spent almost 50 years a solid citizen in the US without any
further misdeeds. But I do not agree.
Im Mr. Demjanjuk was a Nazi he deserves to meet his fate as
well as all the others who escaped along with the many Japanese who committed
war atrocities.
Because if we do not do it and let them go about there way
who will be around to assure our next
generation will not be caught up in the fanatical means which lead the German
people on to a path of destruction and shame.
Already since WWII we have had cases of mass murder and
genocidal ethnic cleansing in
Rwanda
and Bosnia plus in Iraq against the Kurds by Saddam
Hussein .
When a customer is
willing to cross
The Ethical Line with
Technology
Its time to get rid
of the customer
By Nick Markowitz Jr.
Had a friend call me the other day who needed help with a
job he was doing at an old car dealership building. He was installing camera system
in the place which was now going to be used as a Limousine Business and the
owner wanted push button keypads to be able to open the garage doors. I stopped
by and helped my friend install and program them when the owner approached and
asked if we could make certain doors open and close automatically , which can
be safely done when all rules and codes are followed but when I looked at 2 of
the doors I determined they did not have the modern safety controls of a photo
beam and pressure sensing auto reverse
that’s required to do the auto close feature.
A child or vehicle could be trapped under these doors and
crushed and there was no way to add these controls. I advised the owner I could
do the auto open but not the auto close
Do to the missing safety features. He then told me he would
pay me cash to do it so there was no trace who did it. With that I told him no
thank you and to not call on me again.
This owner with that statement told me just what kind of
business man he is and I want nothing more to do with him. If he is wiling to
cross one line he will cross others and I do not want my name associated with
them. Now I have had other alarm dealers tell me I did the right thing while
others said what’s the big deal.
Needless to say those who told me what’s the big deal will
never see me associated with them either. How any one could live with the fact
they were responsible for the injury or death of a child is beyond me.
Yes life is full of risks and we can not avoid them all but
even in business when we follow codes we should follow what is known as the
spirit of the code where we made a decision based on sound judgment when we
understand we are dealing with a gray area.
This way if something does go wrong those involved in the
investigation will be able to understand what the problem was and why an action
took place.
But in the case of these garage doors it is cut and dry auto
closer was wrong thing to try and install. But then again that’s the problem in
our modern society when do we say no
And where is the line.
Because it seems to be constantly moving. The Hippocratic
oath pretty much says it all “ Do No Harm “
A good thing for doctors and alarm dealers to follow.
What are your thoughts.
Why does the BSA
All of a sudden need to raise funds?
On there 100th anniversary
Bu
Nick Markowitz Jr.
Eagle
Scout Class of 1976
Yes
I have no loss of words when it comes to telling how I feel about the Boy
Scouts of America and how I my family members and friends have been screwed by
them.
But
what is the Boy scouts up to especially since they are going to turn 100 years
old.
All
of a sudden every week I get a letter or post card asking to attend a meeting
to learn about what BSA is doing and help the BSA or to buy an expensive story
book on Eagle Scouts or even but a
Commemorative 22 gauge single shot riffle at $1200.00 all this time nothing but now all kind of
desperate pleas to help raise money.
Well
if you have read my articles on BSA and how they have screwed people over I can
think of just one thing, they are raising money because they have some major
litigation coming against them during the Obama years where there is no
protection like you would have during the Busch years and rightly so.
Maybe
it is time for all the dirty laundry the BSA has been hiding and suppressing
all these years come to light finally its time for the BSA to do its Mia culpa.
A BAD SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN MADE WORSE
WHEN A FIRE ALARM WAS NOT
RESTORED AFTER A FIRE?
Nick
Markowitz Jr.
Member
Emsworth VFD and
Private
industry Fire Investigator
Recently
one of my long time Fire Alarm customers suffered a 12:30 am fire in building 90#of his group of
apartment buildings90# 100# and 110# which are all under one common non fire
braked roof he owns south of Pittsburgh Pa.
An
electric Space heater a tenant was running on a top floor apartment over heated
wiring and caused it rub against a wall stud which had metal lath running along
it, resulting in a Arc Fault that failed to be cleared by a conventional
breaker and the local fire dept had to respond and pull down the apartment
ceiling and put out the fire, and turned off power to building 90#.
The
local Fire system in the building went off and was silenced and the dept left
after determining the fire was out. Not allowing any one to occupy building 90#
till power was safely returned. I received an early morning call to restore
power to the building and upon my arriving to start electrical repairs to the
effected apartments to my horror I found that the fire dept had allowed tenants
to stay in the attached buildings 100# and 110# with no fire protection working
as they had silenced the alarm which feed all 3 building sections but had never
reset it. 12 units of the 16 units building were occupied for over 9 hours with
no fire protection. What if another fire had broken out or worse yet what if
there had been a rekindle temperatures were below freezing and there easily
could have another tragedy. The building should never have been left un
protected .Had I been called early enough the system could have been isolated
from 90# and continued to protect like I did to the system after I arrived or
at the very least the fire dept should have left a fire watch in place with
fireman or Apartment maintenance personnel till I arrived to isolate and fix
the Fire system. Had there been another fire the fire chief could have faced
serious criminal and civil problems over his negligence for not either making
sure the system was working or a fire watch being in place. I can under stand
his concern so many people with out a place to stay with as cold as it was but
at the very least a fire watch would have been sufficient till the system was
restored. As required by NFPA 72c
This
is another case were poor training and lack of professionalism could have lead
to another far worse tragedy. A fire system in a building should never be left
silenced and not reset unless an appropriate Fire watch is in place. Especially
In an occupied residential structure like an apartment building.
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