Please note: The algorithm descriptions in English have been automatically translated. Errors may have been introduced in this process. For the original descriptions, go to the Dutch version of the Algorithm Register.

Video analysis tool

This tool can be used to quickly search large amounts of video footage, such as that from surveillance cameras, for moving objects and certain movements. This helps to perform targeted searches through video footage, without having to look at everything manually.

Last change on 15th of December 2025, at 16:28 (CET) | Publication Standard 1.0
Publication category
High-Risk AI-system
Impact assessment
Field not filled in.
Status
In use

General information

Theme

Public Order and Safety

Begin date

2018-01

Contact information

https://www.politie.nl/

Responsible use

Goal and impact

With Briefcam, large amounts of video material can be searched faster. Normally, employees have to review hours of video footage to find, for example, a person, vehicle or event. Briefcam automatically recognises certain types of objects and movements, such as people and cars. Search filters allow targeted searches in the footage.

Because not every image needs to be viewed manually, the employee can quickly make an initial selection of what he or she is looking for. This saves time in the investigation.

Considerations

The advantage of Briefcam is the time savings when reviewing large amounts of video material. A disadvantage can be that the algorithm sometimes misrecognises or misses objects. Therefore, the results shown by Briefcam are always checked by employees.

Human intervention

The filters and searches are set by the employee. The results shown by Briefcam are always checked and reviewed by a human. The algorithm does not make any decisions; it is only an aid to video search.

Risk management

Briefcam is a tool for viewing video material during investigative investigations. Both the application and the video material can only be accessed by authorised and licensed police officers.

Legal basis

Section 3 Police Act: maintaining law and order and providing assistance

Links to legal bases

  • Wpg article 3: https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0031788/2025-07-01/#Hoofdstuk2_Paragraaf2.1_Artikel3
  • Code of Criminal Procedure articles 126g and 126o: https://wetten.overheid.nl/jci1.3:c:BWBR0001903&boek=Eerste&titeldeel=IVA&afdeling=Eerste&artikel=126g&z=2019-06-01&g=2019-06-01

Operations

Data

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Technical design

Briefcam uses smart technology called Convolutional Neural Networks to analyse videos and recognise objects in them. These are so-called Deep Learning models that are more commonly used to recognise objects in photo and video footage.

The system makes it possible to recognise and filter moving objects in videos. First, all moving objects in the video are found and indexed by type, colour, size and movement, among others. Using combined searches (e.g. persons male/female/child, type and colour of clothing, type and colour of vehicles, direction of movement in image), these are displayed in a user-friendly way.

This allows large amounts of images to be viewed and assessed for content in a short time.

Example of a combined filter (search) command: A person on a bicycle, in a yellow (rain) jacket, moving quickly from left to right in the image. Once the total recognition and indexing process has been completed by Briefcam, persons meeting the above conditions are displayed almost immediately.

External provider

www.briefcam.com

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