Jim Wheeler is a forensic expert in video tape, audio tape, DVDs, and CDs. Clients include the U.S. Department of Justice and NASA. He authenticates and enhances recordings and prints single frames of video action.
He detects alterations in recordings, enhances voices by eliminating background noise and amplifying voices, enhances video images by making dark scenes brighter and sharpening images, and can print images. Jim also restores "unplayable" tapes and water damaged tapes.
Background
Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:A: University of California at Berkeley, BSEE (Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering); San Jose State University, graduate study in Electrical Engineering
Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
A: Member, Special Library of Congress Task Force on Video and TV Heritage.
Member, Ford Foundation Advisory Committee for preserving historical material in tropical countries.
Preservation Committee, International Federation of Television Archives (FIAT)
Tape Standards Committee, Audio Engineering Society (AES).
Tape Standards Commission, International Standards Organization (ISO).
Member, Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE).
Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
A: Speaker, International Federation of Television Archives (FIAT), on new recording technology.
Speaker, Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), on detecting video editing.
Speaker, Association of Moving Image Archivists (AMIA), on update of video and digital technology.
Speaker, Audio Engineering Society (AES), on restoration of audio and video tapes.
Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
A: No.
Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
A: Approximately 100.
Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: Forensic Analysis and Expert Witness:
-Detect altered tapes, CDs, and DVDs (Recording Authentication).
-Enhance voices.
-Enhance and/or print Video Images.
-Restore damaged tapes.
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
A: I do not always know, and not knowing helps insure my neutrality.
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
A: I do not always know, and not knowing helps insure my neutrality.
Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
A: Approximately 15.
Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
A: 2008.
Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
A: Approximately 15.
Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
A: Approximately 16.
Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
A: 15 years.
Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
A: Conulting, testing, analysis, reports, site inspections, training.
Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
A: $250 an hour.
Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
A: $250 an hour.
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
A: $350 an hour.
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
A: $350 an hour.
Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
A: Travel expenses.
