5-Day Basic Crime Scene Photography Course Syllabus
(40 Hours)
Course Target Audience
Crime scene investigators, officers and detectives with beginner to intermediate
skills in camera use and crime scene photography.
Course Objectives
Establish understanding of optics, light and camera functions.
Establish understanding and skills in camera operation, image composition and
proper focus and exposure.
Establish understanding and skills in crime scene, vehicle, subject & evidence
photography during investigative situations.
Required Equipment
DSLR or mirrorless camera.
All lenses available while on duty.
External flash.
Sturdy tripod.
Flash sync cord.
Remote shutter release.
Flashlight.
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Course Schedule
Day one. (8 hours)
Module 1 – History of forensic photography
● History of photography in criminal investigations
● Case law
● Forensic working groups on photography
● Infamous cases
Module 2 - Basics of light and optics
● Light Temperature
● Sources of light
● Light intensity
● Light angles
● Optics
Module 3 – Camera equipment & functions
● Camera body
● Lenses & lens care
● Hot shoe
● Camera/equipment handling
● Date/time
● Media storage
● Image files
Practical Exercise 1 – Camera set-up/lens removal
Practical Exercise 2 – Adjusting time, date, media storage settings
Day one written quiz*
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Day two. (8 hours)
Module 4 – Basics of focus & exposure
● Exposure triangle
● Focus & focus settings
● Diopter adjustment
● Light metering
● Adjusting shutter speed, f-stop & ISO
● Histograms
Practical Exercise 3 - Light meter settings
Practical Exercise 4 – Adjusting shutter speed, f-stop & ISO for proper exposure
Practical Exercise 5 - Adjusting diopter
Practical Exercise 6 - Proper focus
Module 5 – Flash Photography
● Taking flash on/off
● Inverse square rule
● Flash mode selection
● Flash sync
● Flash positioning/flash cord
● Flash limitations
Practical Exercise 7 – Taking flash on/off and adding remote cord
Practical Exercise 6 – Flash mode adjustments
Day two written quiz*
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Day three. (8 hours)
Module 6 – Principles of crime scene/evidence photography
● General rules
● Photo card
● Over-all photos
● Mid-range photos
● Close-up photos
● Macro photography
● Use of scale
Practical Exercise 7 – Focal lengths and distortion
Practical Exercise 8 - Initial and over all photographs
Practical Exercise 9 – Mid-range photographs
Practical Exercise 10 – Up-close photographs
Practical Exercise 11 - Scale distance
Practical Exercise 12 - Mock indoor scene(s)
Photo reviews
Day three written quiz*
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Day four. (8 hours)
Module 7 – Vehicle & Collision Photography
● General rules
● “8-way” photos
● VIN & License plate photos
● Using flash in vehicles
● Confined/small spaces photos
● Marks/debris/roadway photos
Practical Exercise 13 – Mock vehicle search warrant
Practical Exercise 14 - Mock collision scene
Module 8 - Subject & Injury Photography
● General rules
● “4-way” photos
● Flash considerations for subject/injury
● Use of scale and color chart
● Clothing and footwear photography
Practical Exercise 9 – Subject/clothing photography
Practical Exercise 10 – Mock injury photography
Photo reviews
Day four written quiz*
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Day five. (8 hours)
Module 6 – Principles of long exposure photography
● Adjusting shutter speed, aperture & ISO
● Composing long exposure photographs
● Exposure evaluation
● Bracketing
● Common issues
Practical Exercise 9 – Long exposure camera set up
Practical Exercise 10 – Long exposure of scene with artificial lights (street lights)
Practical Exercise 11 – Long Exposure of scene with natural light (moon light)
Module 7 – Principles of Painting with Light.
● Composing photograph
● Preventing “ghosting” effect
● Adding light with flash
● Adding light with flashlight
Practical Exercise 12 – Painting with light in various lighting conditions
Final cumulative test*
Certificate ceremony
*Quizzes and tests are used for students self-assessments only. Grades are not
recorded by instructor.
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