What is
Photography?
An Introduction and its Application in Police Work
Prepared by: AIZA G. SIMBAAN, RCRIM
Definition of Photography
• Derived from the Greek word “Phos” or
“Photos” which means “light” and “Grapho” means
“Writing” or “Graphia” meaning “to Draw”.
The word was first used by the scientist Sir John F.W.
Herschel in 1839. (John Frederick William Herschel)
• It is the art or process of producing images using light, a
sensitized surface, and a camera.
PHOTOGRAPH
PICTURE
Is the mechanical and chemical
result of Photography. Is a generic term, refers to all
kinds of formed image
An image that can only be a
product of
photography
MODERN DEFINITION
Photography is an art of science which deals with
the reproduction of images through the action of light,
upon sensitized materials, with the aid of a camera and
its accessories and the chemical processes involved
therein.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION:
Photography defined as any means for the chemical,
thermal, electrical or electronic recording of the images of
scenes or objects formed by some type of radiant energy
including gamma rays. X rays, ultra violet rays, visible light
and infrared rays.
What is Police Photography?
it is the art or science that deals with the study of
principles of photography and its application to police
work.
• Use of cameras and videos for law enforcement.
PORPUSE:
Documents physical evidence, crime scenes,
interrogations, accidents, arrests, and
surveillance.
Skills of a Police Photographer
• Knows how a camera records visual & audio.
• Can capture UV & IR wavelengths.
Skilled in:
- Close-up (macro) photography
- Flash usage
- Night-time/low-light photography
POLICE PHOTOGRAPHY AND FORENSIC
PHOTOGRAPHY
POLICE PHOTOGRAPHY
an art or science which deals with the study of the principles
of photography, the preparation of
photographic evidence, and its application to police work.
FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY
an art or science of photographically
documenting a crime scene and evidence for laboratory
examination and analysis for purpose of court trial
Police vs. Forensic
Photography
Police Photography:
Documentation of crime scene and injuries /documentation
for police work.
Forensic Photography:
- Recording crime scenes/objects for court
use/presentation
- Requires knowledge in forensic science & legal rules.
- Ensures images are accurate & objective evidence.
Forensic Photography
Essentials
• Must tell a complete, unbiased story.
• Must be of analyzable quality.
• Photographer should record:
- Equipment used
- Technical details
- Conditions & measurements
• Photographer must explain and defend
images in court.
Importance in Law
Enforcement
Photography serves four main functions:
1. Identification
2. Recording & preserving evidence
3. Presenting crime elements in court
4. Training & public relations
Uses of Photography in Police
Work
1. Serves as evidence.
2. Preserves all evidence.
3. Refreshes investigators’ memory.
4. Records illegal activities & identities.
5. Aids in identifying missing/wanted persons, stolen property.
6. Captures overlooked details.
7. Helps courts understand cases.
8. Assists in crime scene reconstruction.
9. Supports expert witnesses.
10. Supplements/replaces witness testimony.
11. Used in training.
12. Reproduces/copies documents.
The PNP Forensic
Photography Division
Functions include:
• Photographing suspects & victims
• Photographing evidence
• Conducting crime scene photography & sketching
• Analyzing questioned photos
• Providing lectures & training
• Reproducing photos & documents
• Creating suspect sketches
• Attending court duties
PNP Crime Scene
Photography SOP
1. On-call duty for photographic assistance.
2. Be informed about the crime to prepare
proper equipment.
3. Record incident details before & after
operations.
4. Process film immediately for court use.
5. Check equipment serviceability & follow
strict procedures.
USES OF
PHOTOGRAPHY
PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION
Personal Identification is considered to be the first
application of photography in police work
Alphonse Bertillion was the first police who utilized
photography in police work as a supplementary identification in
his Anthropometry system
FOR COMMUNICATION
Photograph is considered to be one of the most
universal methods of communication considering that no
other language can be known universally than photograph.
FOR RECORD PURPOSES
Considered to be the utmost used of photography in
police work
FOR PRESERVATION
Crime scene and other physical evidence requires
photograph for preservation purposes. Crime scene cannot be
retain as is for a long period of time but through photograph
the initial condition of the scene of the crime can be preserved
properly.
FOR DISCOVERING AND PROVING
Photography can extend human vision in discovering and
proving things such as
a. The use of magnification
• Photomicrography
• Photomacrography/Macrophotography
• Microphotography
• Telephotography
b.Used of artificial light such as x-ray, ultra-violet and infra-red
rays to show something which may not be visible with the aid of
human eye alone.
FOR COURT EXHIBITS
Almost all evidence presented in court before formally be
accepted requires that they satisfy the basic requirements for
admissibility which is relevancy and competency. A question of
relevancy is usually proved by proving the origin of the
evidence and its relation to the case and this is usually
supplemented by photograph of the evidence giving reference
as to where it came from.
Evidence presented in court once accepted became
known as Exhibit. Either Exhibit 1,2,3 etc. for the defense or
Exhibit A, B, C etc for the prosecution.
CRIME PREVENTION
With the used of video camera (hidden camera) and other
advanced photographic equipment crimes are being detected
more easily and even to the extent of preventing them from
initially occurring.
POLICE TRAINING
Modern facilities are now being used as instructional material
not only in police training as well as in other agencies.
REPRODUCTION AND COPYING
With the use of photography any number of
reproduction of the evidence can be made those giving unlimited
opportunity for its examination and even allow other experts or
person to examine the specimen without compromising the
original.
EVIDENCE
Crime scenes, traffic accidents, homicides, suicides,
fires, objects of evidence, latent fingerprints, and evidential
traces. Evidence can frequently be improved by contrast
control (lighting, film, paper. and filters), by magnification
(photomicrography, photomicrography). and by invisible
radiation (infrared, UV, soft X-rays,and hard X-rays).
OFFENDER DETECTION.
Surveillance, burglar traps, confessions, re-enactment
of crimes, and intoxicated driver tests. One of the newest
applications of police photography is to video record
arrests in which the suspect offers resistance. This practice
has been instituted by many law enforcement agencies to
counter charges of police brutality.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Slides, computer presentations, and videotapes that pertain to
safety programs, juvenile delinquency, traffic education, and public
cooperation and homeland security.
