The American television show CSI is a popular series in the North American market, but with syndication in the majority of the world's countries. The work done on shows like this is not simply Hollywood magic, but it is based on real science done by real law enforcement agents, forensic technicians, and scientists.
The American television show CSI is a popular series in the North American market, but with syndication in the majority of the world's countries. The work done on shows like this is not simply Hollywood magic, but it is based on real science done by real law enforcement agents, forensic technicians, and scientists.
State-of-the-Art Facility
Case in point is the brand new Forensic Services and Coroner's Complex in Toronto, Canada. This facility, opened in September 2013, and is the largest of its nature in Canada, and represents one of the three largest in the entire world.
TV-style CSI operations are housed in the Forensic Services and Coroner's Complex (FSCC), it is also designed to handle issues related to biology, toxicology, chemistry, firearms, document and photo analysis, and electronics. Additionally, the FSCC includes multiple examination bays, ballistics facilities, and Canada's first Containment Level 3 autopsy suite, as well as being equipped to cope with mass fatality events such as airline crashes.
To protect these scientists, researchers, examiners, and administrative staff, as well as the facilities themselves, something more down-to-earth was needed: Hikvision security technology.
Marcomm Systems Group, the integrator working on the project, teamed with Carillion (the facility management company for the FSCC) to design a comprehensive solution to achieve these ends.
The Hikvision Advantage
During the installation process, Hikvision cameras were chosen, this project marks an important step for Hikvision in the Canadian market. Specifically, it is the first massive public project of this scale in which Hikvision has been involved. As such, it was important for Infrastructure Ontario (the quasi-public, quasi-private owner of this project) to see proof of Hikvision's quality. Hikvision's quality passed testing at all levels. And, being able to seamlessly integrate with the existing VMS software platform without any difficulties, or modifications was the final seal of approval.
Once approved, four Hikvision camera models were selected - The 2MP Vandal Resistant Network Dome Cameras, 1.3 MP Indoor and Outdoor Network High Speed Dome Cameras, and 1.3MP WDR Outdoor Network Cameras now provide the eyes for the FSCC.
These models, placed liberally throughout the FSCC, are positioned to monitor the roof line, building exterior, parking areas, medical labs, courthouse, jail cells, ballistics testing rooms, administration facilities, as well as other critical areas.
Due to the sensitivity regarding the nature of this project, exact locations, as well as Hikvision camera benefits in relation to these areas cannot be specified.
Realities of the Public Sector
The issue of quality is paramount for the Government of Ontario, as well as its real shareholders - the general public, who will ultimately be paying for a portion of this facility with their tax dollars. As such, financial responsibility is a real concern for all the players involved - from Infrastructure Ontario to Carillion to Marcomm Systems Group. Therefore, the ultimate goal was to provide top-level technology, but at a competitive price.