Stolen car - suspect caught on camera - any way to enhance photos?

[Omar N]

Hey guys,

I have a friend who lives overseas who had is car stolen from him. I am not totally sure how it happened, but somehow the guy was able to break into the car and drive off. Needless to say, the suspect was caught on a security camera. My buddy has shown the surveillance video to local police, but unfortunately he lives in a third world country where police are not very helpful. That being the case, since I am into photography and cinematography, he turned to me to see if I know of anyway to expand and digitally sharpen the images to make out who the suspect is. The photos he showed me are very low quality, and I personally do not think these can be digitally enhanced.

However, before throwing in the towel, I thought I would just turn to the community to see if by chance anybody here knows of a method to take photos such as the ones attached, and digitally enhance them so as to make out who the suspect is. Is this something anybody can help with?

All help greatly appreciated!

 

[OldCorpse]

The chances are pretty low you can get anything useful, but does he at least have access to the original media?

 

[Omar N]

Thats what I figured. He does not access to the original media though.

 

[Batutta]

You just need one of those ENHANCERS they only have in the movies--

 

[J Michael]

I recall some pretty amazing image analysis results based on Bayesian methods, but not sure if there are any readily available tools for that. I think its primary use is for astronomy. This might be of interest as well http://www.clarkvision.com/articles/image-restoration1/

 

[Omar N]

Batutta, if only!!

Thanks J Michael, I'll check it out!

 

[David Jimerson]

You just need one of those ENHANCERS they only have in the movies--

 

[David W. Richardson]

Just last night on some show I saw them 'enhance' a still from a security cam so they could read the screen on the guy's cell phone -- reflected in his sunglasses! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!