Introduction to Forensic Science Forensic Photography

Forensic Photography Each crime scene has unique characteristics and the type of photographs necessary will be determined at the scene by the investigator A picture does tell the viewer many stories. The pictures you take will be submitted into court as evidence and your testimony and pictures will be entered into the trial record.

Basic Photography Equipment Camera Electronic flash Film Normal lens Remote for electronic flash Owner's manuals Wide angle lens Extra batteries Notebook and pen Close-up lenses Locking cable release Ruler Flashlight Gray card Index cards Filters Tripod Felt pen

Care and Maintenance Cleaning lens and camera Camera repair Protection from extreme heat and cold Protection from rain

Film Color film Black & White film Print film vs. slide film Film speed

Requirements by Crime Types Homicide inside a residence Use color film Take pictures of the following Exterior of the building Evidence outside the building Entrance into the scene Room in which the body was found Adjacent rooms, hallways, stairwells Body from five angles

Homicide Photography Close-up of body wounds Trace evidence Weapons Evidence of a struggle Signs of activity prior to the homicide View from positions witnesses had at time of the crime

Suicide Photography Photograph the scene as if it were a homicide Take close up shots of wounds, ligature marks, overdose and self-induced deaths Photograph weapon used Document from all angles

Burglary Photography Exterior of building Point of entry Interior views Area from which valuables were removed       Trace evidence        Other physical evidence Damage to locks, safe, doors, tool marks Articles or tools left at the scene by the suspect 

Assault and Injury Photography Photographing injuries Face of victim in the photographs Bruises Bite marks

Bite Mark Photography Orientation shot Close-up at 90-degree angle to avoid distortion Ruler in same plane as bite mark Focus carefully Bracket exposures

Traffic Accidents Photographs at the accident scene Where the vehicles came to rest and in what position Damage to vehicles Do not take any oblique or corner photographs

Traffic Accident Photographs Take six photographs Two from each side in line with the axles Take one of each end of the vehicle, straight on If possible, take one more from overhead

Traffic Accident Photography Debris or skid marks on the roadway View each driver had approaching the key point of the accident View from the point a witness observed the accident, at witness' eye level Evidence to identify hit and run vehicles Night Photography Use multiple flash, paint with light, or available light for extra long skid marks Or to show two vehicles some distance apart

Autopsy Pictures are taken of wounds, scratches, marks, tattoos and other identifying marks Pictures are not usually taken during the autopsy An overhead picture is taken of the body before the autopsy The deceased is placed in a room for removal of important evidence found on the body

The Purpose of Photographs Record the original scene Record the initial appearance of physical evidence Pictures will provide you with a permanent visual record of how the scene appeared initially, the position of the body, and all evidentiary items

The Purpose of Photographs It helps to show and tell the story to the jury and the courtroom participants In order for the court to accept these pictures, you must be guided by the rules of evidence and the proper submission of this evidence

Use of Photographs in Court The picture must be relevant and material to the case at hand Photos of brutal killings must not be merely presented as evidence, but should be presented in such a way to acutely affect the emotions of the jury You do not have to be an professional photographer to present a photograph in court, e.g. Mr. George Holliday, the video cameraman in the Rodney King beating case

General Crime Scene Photography Secure the scene Take preliminary notes Take a photo overview of scene (to show the scene exactly as it was when you first saw it) Make a basic sketch Record each item of evidence If items have been moved before you arrived, do not try to reconstruct the scene as it was initially The photograph should depict the crime scene exactly as you found it

Major Crime Scene Photography Good communication between you and other investigators is important Do not destroy evidence as you move about the scene

Outdoor Pictures Take a photo of the building where the crime occurred. This may entail a large area Aerial shots would be useful in some cases The original series of photos should show all doors, windows and other means of entrance or exit

Indoor Pictures Take a photo of the entrance Take photographs of the scene, as it appears when you first enter a room Move around the room to get photographs of each entire wall, making sure to get items of evidence in these photos Include photos of the other rooms connected with the actual crime scene

Digital Photography Digital photography can aid the investigator in many ways Provides instant access to viewing photos Documents how and when images were captured, processed and stored

Digital Imaging Technology Digital imaging technology has brought powerful new tools to law enforcement Through the use of Adobe Photoshop, Pat Wertheim, a fingerprint examiner from the Arizona State Crime Lab, gave jurors a computer slide show on fingerprint analysis and showed them ridge by ridge how the prints from Westerfield’s RV identically matched Danielle van Dam’s fingerprints.

Drawbacks to Digital Photography Digital images are sometimes not as clear or sharp as traditional images Battery life is short Image authenticity may be questioned in court

Photographing Fingerprints Photography any fingerprint before lifting it Use the following equipment: One-to-one camera and copy stand 35 mm with macro or close-up lenses Place a scale in the photograph

Digital Photos as Evidence in Court Admissibility Are subject to inspection for image manipulation State and Federal laws vary Public Safety agencies must set policy for use of digital cameras Requirements of photos Relevant Authentic

Department Policy Development Develop Standard Operating Procedure Maintain the integrity of chain of custody Preserve original image Preserve in original file format Review your case before you arrive at the court