Fort Wayne Police Digital Image Policy

• Policy PD04-0121 establishes standards for the use and storage of digital image photography by the Fort Wayne Police Department.
• The Fort Wayne Police Department aims to ensure the integrity of digital images documenting crime scenes for use as evidence in court.
• Digital images are treated as evidence, and all department standards for evidence collection and preservation apply.
• Procedures are not intended to discourage officers from contacting Crime Scene Management (CSM) when appropriate.
• CSM technicians must follow policies, procedures, and guidelines without conflicting with evidence training.

Digital Imaging Considerations

• Digital photographic images taken for evidentiary purposes or for submission to the Photo Management System database should not be enhanced.
• Enhancement is only allowed by authorized personnel under the direction of Fort Wayne Police Command, the Allen County Prosecutor's Office, or the United States Attorney's Office.
• The Fort Wayne Police Department does not permit the manipulation of digital photographic images.
• Personnel are prohibited from possessing or duplicating any photographic image depicting a scene or image that could be considered evidentiary for personal use.
• The officer taking and submitting a photograph is solely responsible for it until it is imported into the Photo Management Database and accepted, which is when the Chain-Of-Custody begins.
• The primary image taken by the digital camera is treated as any other piece of evidence taken into custody.
• Any authorized enhancement must be performed by designated personnel and applied to a copy of the primary image.

Situations Requiring Photographs

• Evidence of Domestic Violence (per OP91-0122).
• Fatal/Near Fatal Personal Injury Accidents.
• Evidence of Injury to a Law Enforcement Officer.
• Canine (K-9) Bites.
• Motor Vehicle Accidents involving City-Owned Property.
• Evidence of Assault and/or Battery.
• PI/PD Motor Vehicle Accidents not requiring Fatal Team or CSM call-out.
• Damage to city property other than those involving motor vehicles.
• Extensive vandalism or other types of extensive property damage.
• Evidence indicating a crime may be committed or evidence that a crime has been committed.
• Evidence considered to be “perishable".
• Any other situation/investigation in which the officer believes a photograph would be beneficial to the investigation.

Authorized Digital Imaging Equipment

• Only equipment issued by the Fort Wayne Police Department is authorized for capturing digital images, except under extraordinary circumstances.
• The equipment must be compatible with the Photo Management System database (VeriPic).
• Any deviation from this requirement must be documented in a report by the photographing officer.

Digital Camera Settings

• Digital camera settings are required for submission of digital images to the photo management database.
• The camera and all related equipment must be tested periodically for proper operation.
• Date and time must be checked periodically and corrected.
• The camera media (Memory/Picture Card) should be formatted using the media format function in the camera, not a computer.

Fujifilm Camera Settings

• Fujifilm S5000 settings: Focus Mode: S-AF, Photography Mode: P, Resolution/Quality: 3.0 M, Sensitivity: ISO 200, FinePix Color: F, Macro: Off, Frame Count/Number: Renew, Preview: On.
• Fujifilm S1500 settings: Sensitivity: AUTO (800), Intelligent face detection/red eye removal: Off, Macro/Super Macro: Off, Instant Zoom: Not Used, Shooting mode: Auto or P, FinePix Color: F-Standard, Quality: 10M F, Image Display: Zoom (Continuous), Frame Number: Renew, Dual IS Mode: Shooting Only, Digital Zoom: Off.
• Fujifilm S4300 settings: Intelligent face detection Off, Continuous shooting Off, Shooting Mode: Auto or P, Sensitivity: AUTO (800), Image size L4:3, FinePix Color: STD, Instant Zoom: Not Used, Macro/Super Macro: Off, Image Quality: Fine, Face Recognition: Off, Image Display: Zoom, Frame Number: Renew, Dual IS Mode: Shooting Only, Blink Detection: Off, Digital Zoom Off, AF Illuminator: On, Date Stamp: Off
• Fujifilm S4800 Settings: Continuous Shooting: Off, Shooting Mode: Auto or P, Macro/Super Macro: Off, ISO: AUTO (800),Image Size: L 4:3, Image quality: Fine, FinePix Color: STD, Face Detection: Off, White Balance: Auto, Sharpness: STD, Photometry: Multi, AF Mode: Center, Flash: 0, Face Detection: Off, Red Eye Removal: Off, Image Display: Zoom, Frame number: Renew, Dual IS Mode: Shooting Only, Blink Detection: Off, Digital Zoom: Off, AF Illuminator: On, Date Stamp: Off

Additional Guidelines

• Do not delete any images from the photo/memory card before uploading them into the Photo Management System database.
• When photographing is completed, or when the storage media is full, remove the media and load/import the photos into the photo management system immediately.
• Images from multiple investigations should not be on the same picture/memory card; use one case control number per memory card if possible.
• Reformat the photo/memory card in the camera after photographs have been placed into the photo management system.
• Officers should document the number of digital photographs taken and what is being depicted in their written report.
• Subject matter should range from the general to the specific.
• Take overall, mid-range, and close-up photographs of the scene and evidence.
• Full frontal and facial photographs shall be taken for identification purposes.
• Midrange photographs shall be taken in order to show injuries and other parts of the body.
• Close-up photographs, with and without a scale, shall be taken to show scars, marks, tattoos and injuries.
• Images will be printed on an “as needed” basis for trial and on-going investigations.
• Duplicate images will be copied in the unaltered file format.
• Other methods of appropriate distribution of duplicate images may be utilized if approved by the Investigative Division Deputy Chief.
• Requests for printed or duplicate copies require approval by the Chief of Police, Assistant Chief of Police, a Deputy Chief of Police, or a Records Supervisor.
• Emphasis will be placed on electronic transferring when outside requests are received.
• Officers issued digital cameras shall be responsible for their care, cleaning, and storage.
• Cameras, equipment shall not be stored in car trunks or exposed to the elements.
• Digital cameras and equipment may be stored within officers' vehicles or residences when not on duty.

Definitions

• IMAGE: A representation of a person or thing.
• DIGITAL IMAGE: An image stored in numerical form.
• COPY IMAGE: A reproduction of information from an original image.
• DUPLICATE IMAGE: An accurate replica of an original image, irrespective of media.
• RAW IMAGE: The first instance an image is recorded onto any image.
• PROCESSED IMAGE: An output image.
• WORKING IMAGE: Any image subject to processing.
• ARCHIVING: Long-term storage of an image.
• CAPTURE: The process of recording an image.
• CAPTURE DEVICE: A device used in recording an image.
• FILE FORMAT: The structure by which data is organized in a file.
• IMAGE ANALYSIS: Extraction of information beyond visual examination.
• IMAGE ENHANCEMENT: Process to improve the visual appearance of an image.
• IMAGE OUTPUT: Means by which an image is presented for examination or observation.
• IMAGE PROCESSING: Activity that transforms an input image into an output image.
• IMAGE TRANSMISSION: The act of moving images from one location to another.
• IMAGE PROCESSING LOG: A record of steps used in the processing of an image.
• IMAGE VERIFICATION: Process by which personnel identify an image as an accurate representation.
• INTERMEDIATE STORAGE: Media for temporary storage for transfer to permanent or archival storage.
• NATIVE FILE FORMAT: The file format of the primary image.
• STORAGE: The act of preserving an image.
• DISK: A disk used to save/store-computerized data.
• MEMORY CARD: A unique data/information storage card in some digital cameras.
• CD: Compact disk utilized for the storing of digital information.
• WRITE ONLY CD-ROM SYSTEM: A computerized write/save system of storing digital information in a permanent manner.
• ENHANCEMENT: To make greater or better, as in value, desirability or attractiveness.
• MANIPULATION: To change by artful or unfair means so as to serve one's purpose.

Training

• A minimum of eight (8) hours formal classroom training covering the operation of issued camera, standard operating procedures, and explanation of the Photo Management System Database (VeriPic) is required.