Jail Mugshots

[James_Fuller]

Good afternoon group! I am writing in this forum, hoping that someone could offer an inexpensive idea on a digital camera. I am looking for a simple digital camera (Basic model). I don't need to take any videos; only photos. I need something that can zoom to 15-20ft so that it provides 'mugshots'; basically, head shots. I need a camera that will have a constant power supply such as being plugged into a wall outlet. At the same time, I need the camera to be plugged into a computer so that the photo can be uploaded. Any information would be appreciated.

 

[The_Traveler]

budget?
Do I understand you to mean that the picture needs to be captured immediately or can you import the picture later?

Lew

 

[Designer]

Look for one that has a built-in charger so you can leave it plugged in.

Although I don't understand the motive. If you run the batteries down, changing batteries takes just a few seconds.

Most cameras come with an upload cable. Not sure if the upload will go automatically, but probably depends more on your software.

 

[IzzieK]

Welcome to this forum. Many sort of cameras can do what you ask for...even my humble D90. All my cameras can be attached to a desktop or my laptop via a tethering software called CameraRC, Nikon Tether Software | Tethering Software for Nikon DSLR cameras, then connected to a wide screen tv. And I have a lifetime (really!) ownership to it.

 

[TCampbell]

Good afternoon group! I am writing in this forum, hoping that someone could offer an inexpensive idea on a digital camera. I am looking for a simple digital camera (Basic model). I don't need to take any videos; only photos. I need something that can zoom to 15-20ft so that it provides 'mugshots'; basically, head shots. I need a camera that will have a constant power supply such as being plugged into a wall outlet. At the same time, I need the camera to be plugged into a computer so that the photo can be uploaded. Any information would be appreciated.

You can calculate the angle of view needed based on distance.

E.g. at suppose you want a frame showing 1' wide by 1.5' tall at a distance of 15'... (you could use a lower focal length if the camera were closer).

A 220mm focal length lens on an APS-C body would provide that. To determine this I used the dimensional field of view calculator at this website: http://www.tawbaware.com/maxlyons/calc.htm

There are quite a number of cameras which, while not including an AC power adapter, do have one available as an optional accessory (basically you remove the battery and a module designed to fit the battery compartment is inserted... but has a cord coming out of it.)

For DSLRs, a very basic setup would be a Canon T3 body (that's the most basic "DSLR" body they currently sell), add an AC adapter kit (ACK-E10), and then add a lens with the focal length required for the task. I calculated 220mm above (unless the camera is closer)... an EF-S 55-250mm lens would provide that focal length. Canon includes software that supports tethered operation of the camera (you can use the computer to take the photo and the image is immediately downloaded to the computer.)

BUT... you could also do this with a point & shoot as long as the point & shoot supports tethering and has an AC adapter available. The "catch" here is that point & shoots don't have removable lenses. So you'd need to evaluate the focal length range available for the lens. Also you'd need to verify that the camera can support tethered shooting with a computer. Many will support this and it may be a lower cost alternative.

 

[James_Fuller]

Thank you all for the information. It has given me a direction! My ultimate goal is for the camera to simply be a tool for a computer. In our jail, we used to have a camera similar to a security camera. It was mounted to the wall and the settings were adjusted so that inmates simply had to stand at a designated point and the photo would be taken as a mugshot (head shot). The software on the computer and the camera were integrated to the extent that when it was time to take the photo, we simply had to click on the appropriate computer icons and the photo was taken. The camera was constantly on; with the power source being an AC adaptor that plugged into the wall outlet. Another cable ran to the computer. Unfortunately, the camera became obsolate when our records management system was upgraded.

I'll take the information i've seen here and begin my research, thanks!

 

[The_Traveler]

The older systems were very low resolution but anything you get now with a Point & Shoot will have much higher resolution and terrific detail.

The small problem is that p&s still cameras (or any digital) will routinely turn off the sensor to keep it from heating up and only a very few, if any, will allow tethered operation.
Another small hurdle is the zoom lens that will automatically retract and will have to be extended again.
Looking for a small p&s that will allow manual operation, etc., is complicating the issue.

Since you don't need to change focal lengths or focusing distance, I suggest considering this:

A decent, low cost, high resolution compromise will be to use an older (inexpensive) digital body with a longish focal length lens that can be run tethered. These bodies turn on essentially instantly, will run tethered and because the focus distance will be fixed you can use an inexpensive older lens - and still get terrific hi res shots.

Perhaps someone here can suggest a combination of inexpensive body and lens that will work well for this.

 

[limr]

I think the set-up you're talking about is similar to the one we have at the college in the security office for taking photos for ID cards. They're using a Canon p&s - it's an SX-?? can't remember the number. I noticed it a few weeks ago when I was in there asking a question and saw that it's almost the same p&s that I have. They have two cameras on tripods, all wired into computers to upload the picture straight into the computer. I'm sure they then use different software to put the image onto the ID cards, which are spit out of a printer below the desk. Not sure if you need the card/printer part of it, but clearly the camera is capable of being set up and ready (not on, but it only takes a second to turn them on when needed) to take pictures and upload directly to a computer.

Here's some on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Canon sx

 

[The_Traveler]

According to Internet gab, newer Canon P&S do not support tethered shooting.

 

[limr]

What about an older one? Or a Nikon or Sony or Panasonic p&s? I just mentioned Canon because that was the specific camera I saw tethered to the computers at our security office. So clearly some Canon p&s at some point in time allowed for tethered shooting.

From what the OP says, he doesn't need a complicated set up or the latest technology. Just enough to take reliable mug shots and get them onto the computer.

 

[Designer]

Another option is a "webcam". It is essentially a fixed-focal length camera with no shutter, no file-saving (no hard-or-firmware), easily mounted on a countertop, and gets its power from the computer, AFAIK. They're cheap, high-resolution, CCTV cameras so with the right software they will be at the "dumb end" of the system, communicating with the "smarter" computer.

 

[dennybeall]

I agree with Designer - just get a webcam or one of the new video security cameras that output a digital signal and do all the saving in the computer. I have cameras at my self-storage place that are hooked to the internet and software on this laptop can capture a picture from any one of them at any time with the click of the mouse.

 

[runnah]

Webcam for sure.

 

[radiorickm]

Hi James. My name is Rick, and I just retired (25 years) as a "Technology Specialist" working for a correctional facility here in New Mexico. Just some curious questions, what is the JMS system that you upgraded from, and what did you go to. Most of the current programs capture a still image from a motion camera, via firewire or over TCPIP. It depends on your software, and how they allow you to import images into the data base structure; whether they store a link to a picture, or actually store a .jpg as part of the database. Some of the interfaces are written very specifically for a camera system.