In Today’s Society
The crowd hovers around the crime scene, cordoned off with yellow tape. Maybe there is a body, maybe a weapon, maybe debris from unknown sources. All of it is important evidence for those who will be investigating the crime. We’ve all see the CSI shows and know that forensic teams arrive very soon to do their thing. One of the team is a forensic photographer whose very important job is to memorialize the scene exactly as it is – before anything is moved or touched – as every tiny aspect of the scene is critical.
Now, this forensic photographer is not just a picture taker, rather, he or she is critical in preserving evidence, knowing what photos to take and photographing anything and everything that is found/uncovered as the forensic team works the scene, tagging and bagging. After the whole scene is photographed, parts may be re-shot using measuring devices or such.
Your photos will include wide range, mid-range and close-ups. Angles are very important, as well, and need to be explored for consideration of all view points to preserve the facts and truth of the scene.
We all know that fingerprints, DNA, weapons, gunshot residue, etc., are important factors and all must be properly preserved, with the chain of evidence maintained back to the crime lab for processing. The forensic camera is no different. And, if a body is involved, the forensic photographer may have to go to the coroner’s office and photograph the body once it is on the table – to memorialize wounds and other unusual conditions of the body.
The photographs, along with all the other evidence collected and processed, will be shown in court, in the event charges are brought against a perpetrator. Forensics personnel, typically, will be called to testify as to their findings as well as the validity of the evidence collected. This would include the forensic photographer.
You’ve likely heard it said that the eye sees all but the brain doesn’t necessarily “acknowledge” it all – busy, preoccupied, overwhelmed, etc. But, the eye of the camera not only sees all but records all in the photograph. Countless times things are revealed in the photographs that were not noticed at the live scene by the human eyes.
Another important thing is taking pictures of the crowd of people hovering around the crime scene. We always hear that a perpetrator will return to the scene for various reasons. If the forensic photographer has taken good crown photos, it could be helpful later as various leads indicate a person or persons. The investigators can look at the photos of the on-lookers and see if their suspect is there.
Photographing vehicle accidents is also forensic photography. If there was no fatality or other egregious component to the accident, likely a forensic photographer will not be dispatched. However, the police will likely take photos (as can one who is involved in the accident) that can be extremely beneficial later when insurance companies are determining liability! Why? Because good photos eliminate any bias by the interviewer or the interviewee. The contact points on the vehicles, where the vehicles ended up in relation to each other or the road, skid marks, debris fields, all of these can be evaluated by a collision expert later and provide information regarding speed, directionality of impacts, points of impacts and on and on. Hugely important.
All this being said, one of the most important things in Forensic Photography is quality: clear, sharp detail, proper resolution and file size, proper lighting. The photo may be the absolute key to the crime but if it is fuzzy or too dark to discern all, there could be issues with validity. The defense will scream “reasonable doubt” if possible. If this is the case, the photograph could end up being worthless to all. In fact, flaws in key photographs could cause a case to be lost. Point being, forensic photographers don’t just go out and snap a bunch of pictures. They have to be really good at what they are doing.
So, the photos have been “bagged”, now they have to be “tagged”. Rather than write on the photo, itself, better to overlay a transparent sheet with the identification and description. The printed photos are not only identified but afforded some protection by the transparency. Sort of win-win.
We mentioned good lighting, have you seen the lighting attachment the CSI shows use for close ups? Sort of looks like an attack helicopter, right?
Well, this rig is necessary to give adequate lighting for the super close-ups to render them clear and sharp.
Of course, let’s not forget that lenses have to be clean and smudge-free. If they are not, an important photo may have blurred or dark places that can compromise the integrity of the scene or object being photographed. It is all about accuracy, clarity, and validity – that can stand up in court. Your camera has the task of seeing all the nuances of or in a scene that will provide clues, leads and proof to those investigating the crime and ultimately – and hopefully – apprehending the offender.
Recommended Additional Reading:
Crime Scene Photography, Second Edition
The Practical Methodology of Forensic Photography, Second Edition (Practical Aspects of Criminal & Forensic Investigations)
Introduction to Crime Scene Photography
