Photography in Forensic Science

Definition of Photography

• Modern photography refers to the recording of images using various forms of radiant energy, including gamma rays, x-rays, ultra-violet rays, visible light, and infrared rays.

Police Photography

• Police photography is the study of photographic principles, preparation of photographic evidence, and its application to police work.

Forensic Photography

• Forensic photography, also known as forensic imaging or crime scene photography, involves accurately reproducing a crime scene or accident scene using photography for court evidence or investigative aid.
• It is part of the evidence collection process.

Uses of Photography in Police Work

• Identification files:
  • Use of photography for identifying criminals, missing persons, lost property, licenses, anonymous letters, bad checks, laundry marks, and civilian fingerprints.
  • Fingerprint files can aid in identification in cases of atomic attack or catastrophe.
• Communication and microfilm files:
  • Use of photography for investigative report files, accident files, and transition of photos (Wire Photo).
  • Photographic supplements to reports can be generated quickly using electro-photography machines.
• Evidence:
  • Use of photography for documenting crime scenes, traffic accidents, homicides, suicides, fires, objects of evidence, and latent fingerprint traces.
  • Evidence can be improved through contrast control, magnification, and visible radiation.

Photography Techniques

• General View:
  • Taking an overall view of the crime scene to show direction and location.
• Medium View:
  • Taking photographs of the crime scene by dividing it into sections to show the nature of the crime.
• Close-up View:
  • Taking individual photographs of evidence at the crime scene to show details of the crime.
• Extreme Close-up View:
  • Taking photographs in a laboratory setting using magnification, such as photomacrography and photomicrography.

Specialized Photography Techniques

• Photomicrography:
  • Taking photographs through a microscope, using the microscope lens as the camera lens.
• Photomacrography:
  • Taking photographs with a short focus lens to capture extreme close-ups of small objects at 1:1 or actual size.
• Microphotography:
  • Taking photographs of objects at a very reduced size, creating tiny images of large objects, such as microfilm.
• Telephotography:
  • Taking photographs of distant objects using a long focus lens and telephoto lens.

Test your knowledge of photography techniques used in forensic science, including modern photography, police photography, and forensic photography. Learn about the principles of photography and its application in police work and crime scene investigation.