Principle Forensics

Principle Forensics is a cutting-edge media forensics laboratory. We recover, authenticate, enhance, and analyze all types of recorded evidence, including video, audio, and digital images. And we back all our work with experienced, highly trained, expert testimony. Our Chief Forensic Analyst, Nick Barreiro, BAC, AVFA, DIVRT, was a police officer in California for 15 years. Nick is an expert with tremendous technical knowledge and training, but also extensive experience on the witness stand. Nick has enhanced and analyzed digital media from simple slip-and-fall cases and minor traffic accidents to complex investigations such as homicides and officer-involved shootings. Nick has testified hundreds of times in criminal cases, civil cases, arbitrations, and depositions.

Services

Principle Forensics offers the following services:

Video, Audio, and Image Forensics
• Evidence Recovery
• Authentication
• Enhancement
• Synchronization
• Analysis
• Redaction
• Photogrammetry
• Facial Recognition
• License Plate Recognition
• Public/Media Release
• Court Exhibit Preparation

Areas of Expertise

Profile

Nick Barreiro, BAC, AVFA, DIVRT, is a certified Audio Video Forensic Analyst and the founder of Principle Forensics. Prior to becoming a full-time Forensic Analyst, he spent 15 years as a law enforcement officer in California. Nick worked for the West Sacramento Police Department as a Patrol Officer, Canine Handler, Field Training Officer, Detective, and Patrol Sergeant. He was heavily involved in all aspects of technology and innovation at the department, including implementation and management of a digital evidence system, facial recognition technology, license plate readers, dash cameras and body-worn cameras.

While working as a Detective in the Investigations Unit, Nick handled all media forensics including collecting, enhancing, and analyzing video footage from surveillance cameras, cell phones, traffic cameras, body-worn cameras, and dash cameras.

Nick has enhanced and analyzed digital media from simple slip-and-fall cases and minor traffic accidents to complex investigations such as homicides and officer-involved shootings.

Nick is a member of the FBI's Digital Imaging and Video Recovery Team.

Prior to his career in law enforcement, Nick was an audio engineer and producer in California. He also worked for KBMB radio in Sacramento. He has extensive experience and training in audio enhancement and analysis.

Nick has received advanced training from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Robert Presley Institute of Criminal Investigation, the California Department of Justice, the Central California Intelligence Center, the Department of Homeland Security, Resolution Video, and the University of Colorado Denver.

Nick holds a bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of California at Davis.

Nick has testified hundreds of times in criminal cases, civil cases, arbitrations, and depositions.

Areas Served

Worldwide

Professional Experience

Forensics
Principle Forensics, Nashville, TN
2020 - (Current) Chief Forensic Analyst
• Forensic Video, Audio, and Image Investigations
• Authentication of Recorded Evidence
• Enhancement and Analysis of Video, Audio, and Images
• Synchronization and Redaction of Exhibits
• Expert Witness Testimony and Professional Litigation Support

Law Enforcement
West Sacramento Police Department, West Sacramento, CA
2019 - 2020 Patrol Sergeant
• Patrol Supervisor
• Technology Project Manager
- Media Forensics
- Body-Worn & Dash Cameras
- Digital Evidence System
- License Plate Readers
- Facial Recognition Technology
2016 - 2019 Detective
• Forensic Video Investigations
• Crimes Against Persons Investigations
- Robbery
- Homicide
- Officer-Involved Shootings
2006 - 2016 Patrol Officer
• Digital Evidence Specialist
• Surveillance Video Recovery

Audio Engineering / Production
2001 - 2003 KBMB Radio, Sacramento, CA
• On-Air Audio Mixing
1998 - 2002 The Graduate, Davis, CA
• Audio Mixing and Production

Licenses

Certified Audio Video Forensic Analyst – AVFA
Electronic Technicians Association International

Digital Imaging and Video Recovery Team – DIVRT
Federal Bureau of Investigation

Affiliations

Electronics Technicians Association Member

Digital Imaging and Video Recovery Team Member

Awards & Honors

2021 Audio Video Forensic Analyst Certification
Electronic Technicians Association

2020 Certificate of Commendation
West Sacramento Police Department

2019 ICI Certificate of Achievement in Homicide Investigation
Robert Presley Institute of Criminal Investigation

2019 ICI Certificate of Achievement in Robbery Investigation
Robert Presley Institute of Criminal Investigation

2019 Digital Imaging and Video Recovery Team Member
Federal Bureau of Investigation

2017 Commanding Officer's Citation
West Sacramento Police Department

2012 Advanced POST Certificate
California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training

2011 Team of the Year Award
West Sacramento Police Department

2010 Intermediate POST Certificate
California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training

2008 Basic POST Certificate
California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training

Publications

2022 "Stop posting pictures with your clients or from your security details"
Athena Worldwide, epbacktobasics.com

2021 Photoshop's Deadly Consequences
eForensics Magazine, ISSN 2300 6986

Professional References

Upon request

Education

University of Colorado, Denver
National Center for Media Forensics
Certificate
Forensic Authentication, Analysis and Enhancement of Digital Audio and Images
03/2021 - 04/2021

Yuba College Administration of Justice
Police Academy
Certificate
Law Enforcement Academy
01/2006 - 06/2006

University of California, Davis
Bachelor's Degree
Major in Communications
09/1998 - 03/2002