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.
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 • Night Photography
on the roadway • Use multiple flash,
paint with light, or
• View each driver had
approaching the key available light for
point of the accident extra long skid
• View from the point a marks
witness observed the • Or to show two
accident, at
witness' eye level
vehicles some
• Evidence to identify hit
distance apart
and run vehicles
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 • Record each item of
evidence
• Take preliminary notes
• If items have been
moved before you
• Take a photo overview of arrived, do not try to
scene (to show the reconstruct the scene as
scene exactly as it was it was initially
when you first saw it)
• The photograph should
• Make a basic sketch 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 • Crime Lab, gave jurors a
brought powerful new computer slide show on
tools to law fingerprint analysis and
enforcement showed them ridge by
ridge how the prints from
Westerfield’s RV
• Through the use of identically matched
Adobe Photoshop, Danielle van Dam’s
Pat Wertheim, a fingerprints.
fingerprint examiner
from the Arizona State
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 • Requirements of
• Are subject to photos
inspection for image • Relevant
manipulation
• Authentic
• State and Federal laws
vary
• Public Safety agencies
must set policy for use
of digital cameras
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
