Scribd
Upload
36 views

Crime Scene Photography Notes

Uploaded by

Sophia Miller
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
36 views

Crime Scene Photography Notes

Uploaded by

Sophia Miller
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 17

Forensic Photography

• Forensic photography documents and


preserves the original crime scene for future
investigation.
• Photographs are used in conjunction with
notes and sketches and are an important
part of the forensic documentation process.
• Crime scene photographs have tremendous
value in their ability to show:
• layout of the crime scene
• position of the evidence
• relation of objects at the scene to one another
Forensic Photography

• The most important prerequisite for


photographing a crime scene is for it to be
unaltered.
• Unless someone needs
medical attention,
objects must not be
moved until they have
been thoroughly
photographed.
Forensic Photography
• In order to be admissible as evidence within the
Justice System, photographs must meet the
following criteria:

They must accurately reflect the true condition of


the scene without alteration.

Any manipulations must be documented.

They must have relevancy (they must either support


or undermine the truth of any point at issue).
Forensic Photography
• Currently, digital
photography is the preferred
method of crime scene
photography.

• A digital photograph is made


when a light-sensitive
microchip inside a digital
camera is exposed to light
coming from an object or
scene.
Forensic Photography

• Crime scenes should be photographed as


completely as possible.
• Photographs of the following should be
made:
area in which the crime took place
adjacent areas to the crime scene
overview photographs
points of entry and exit
body (if applicable)
evidence
Forensic Photography
• Overview photographs:
• The first images that the photographer
takes are overview photos.

• Overview photos include the entire


scene and its surrounding area.

• Overview photos are generally shot from


a natural perspective. (Ariel shots may
be fitting in some situations.)

• Overview photos begin from a distance


and gradually zone in on the specific
area of a crime.

• They should be taken from the outside


borders of the scene from various
angles.
examples of
overview
photographs
Forensic Photography
• Points of Entry/Exit:

• Points of entry and


exit should be
shown in such a
manner that any
marks of force will
be shown clearly.

Photo attributions: https://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/csp-evidence-photography-at-the-crime-scene.html


Forensic Photography
• Photographing Evidence:
• Investigators must use proper technique when
photographing evidence.

An item of “scale” should be in the picture.


(ex. ruler, quarter, etc.)
Each piece of evidence must be photographed at 3 different
angles (minimum).
Each angle should be photographed at 3 distances (close,
mid range, long range shots) - 9 total photos (minimum)

• As evidence is discovered, the evidence is


photographed to show its position and location
relative to the entire scene.
an item of
scale must
be present
in the
photograph
examples of
photographed
evidence
Forensic Photography
• Sometimes, evidence is difficult to see and photograph.
• Oblique lighting can help investigators make this
evidence visible for photography.
• Oblique lighting uses a light source positioned at a low
angle.
• It is usually used to show detail by creating shadows on
the surface of the evidence.
• Oblique lighting is commonly used when photographing
impressions, tool marks and certain types of fingerprints.
Forensic Photography
Oblique lighting uses a light source
positioned at a low angle. A very low
oblique angle of lighting can be used
to photograph dusty footwear
impressions and indented writing.

Image Attribution: Steven Staggs from the publication Crime Scene and Evidence Photography, 2nd Edition, ISBN 978-1-933373-07-2
Forensic Photography

Photo Attribution: Wikimedia Commons, Author: Zalman992


Forensic Photography
We will now watch a short video over the basics of crime scene photography.
Video Link: https://youtu.be/ihj4y_EeLRs?si=q882rEF6oOVDQQ9a
Forensic Photography

• Today, you will practice your forensic photography skills.


• There is evidence set up in different areas of the classroom.
• Each piece of evidence is marked with numbered evidence
markers.
• Your job is to rotate through each piece of evidence, taking
photographs according to the procedures outlined in the
lesson today.
• When finished, showcase your images as a PowerPoint,
Google Slides, or Canva presentation. Email to me:
[email protected]

You might also like