When phone manufacturers introduced cellular phone cameras to the communications market, they most likely did not envision their devices helping to deter or solve crime.

In the recent months, reports have surfaced across the country about victims of attempted and actual assaults using these cameras to capture images of the assailants and any other relevant details.

In August, a 15-year-old boy in New Jersey used his cell phone camera to take pictures of a man who allegedly tried to lure him into his car. The boy took the photos to the police, who then investigated the incident and arrested the suspect.

Some area police officers disagree on the effectiveness of camera phone pictures as evidence of a crime.

"To be able to obtain that evidence is OK ... but I don't know how effective it would be. Trying to build a case around them could be difficult," said Cpl. Mark Argiro of the State College Police Department.

Penn State University Police supervisor Wayne Weaver said if a student has the ability to gather evidence in this manner, then it will help the case.

"If someone witnesses a crime or if they are going to become a victim, and there is some safe way that this could be done, it would be helpful," he said. "I don't know the quality of the picture on these phones, though."

However, the university police have not had any such instances take place.

"I can't recall us having anyone use a camera-type phone in this manner yet," Weaver said.

Argiro said his department had an incident several months ago in which a woman was unsure whether or not she had been assaulted, and she used photographs taken with a camera phone during the assault to verify that she had.

"The girl thought she could have been assaulted, and when she woke up, she checked the guy's phone and saw that he did take pictures of her," he said.

Argiro said the woman decided not to have the police investigate further or file any charges.

Cell phone stores around the State College area carry a variety of cell phones equipped with cameras. Those in the wireless industry acknowledge the numerous uses for this type of technology.

"Anything that aids to the community safety is something we endorse," Ellen Webner, AT&T Wireless spokeswoman, said.

"We don't specifically sell camera phones for this purposes, but it is certainly an offshoot."

However, some students wonder if they would even have the composure to take a picture when a crime is happening in their presence.

"Honestly, if I were faced with a situation like that, I would probably be so caught off guard and concerned with my own personal safety to even think of trying to get a picture," Beth Leri (sophomore-public relations) said.

Weaver said he doesn't rule out the possibility of facing this situation in the future.

"I'd imagine with the popularity of the phones that we will see it sometime down the road," he said.

Webner said that since the introduction of cell phone cameras to the industry, sales of the devices have been increasing.

"Camera phone sales have been on the rise as the networks continue to improve," she said.

"We have completed many technological upgrades in the central Pennsylvania area."