FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY

The Practical Methodology of Forensic Photography

The Practical Methodology of Forensic Photography

Introduction

Historically, photography has played a significant role in applied criminology, the scientific study and investigation of crime and criminals. Over a period of time, the usefulness of photography has widened, serving not only to record evidence of past crime and criminals, but increasingly used surreptitiously and openly in surveillance to detect and deter unlawful activities. It is also spreading to document law enforcement activities such as interrogations, premise searches, pursuits, pull-overs and arrests. Some remarkable documentary crime photographs were taken more than a century ago, including those depicting the "Chinese Massacre" that began on Calle de los Negros in El Pueblo de la Reina de Los Angeles (City of Los Angeles) on October 24, 1871.

Importantly, many early original black and white photographs were archived and remain intact. Forensic photography (sometimes referred to as forensic imaging or crime scene photography) is the art of producing an accurate reproduction of a crime scene or an accident scene for the benefit of a court or to aid in the investigation. It is part of the process of evidence collecting. It provides investigators with photos of bodies, places and items involved in the crime. Pictures of accidents show broken machinery, or a car crash, and so on (Langford, 1999). Photography of this kind involves choosing correct lighting, accurate angling of lenses, and a collection of different viewpoints. Scales are often used in the picture so that dimensions of items are recorded on the image.

Explanation

Forensic photography/ Crime Scene Photography

Crime photography continues to evolve and now includes several categories in which specialists are needed to perform some of the more sophisticated tasks. A major portion of crime photography is performed at a suspected or known crime scene where specified protocols must be followed to insure thorough documentation before any evidence is disturbed, altered or destroyed. Typical crime scene photography is performed as the initial step of formal investigation, and in most instances documentary photos (including video) are taken from three vantage points: (1) overview, (2) mid-range, and (3) close-up.

In residential homicide, for example, the overviews should include a compass location and site orientation clearly showing relationship to surrounding areas and apertuant structures including access streets, pathways, doors and windows. In some cases aerial views may be indicated. Mid-range shots are used to reveal entrance and exits, the location of the evidence (body, weapons, etc.) as viewed from entrance and egress, its location in the room relative to doors and windows(Langford, 1999). Commonly, five full-frame views are made of the victim: views from each side, views from head to feet and feet to head, and one from overhead. After the coroner has had the body removed, an additional shot is often taken where the victim had lain in order to document the presence or absence of evidence under the body. Overviews and mid-range views are taken at eye-level (preferably with 50mm lens if 35mm camera is used) to minimize distortion and to aid ...