introduction to incident scene photography new mexico state police criminal investigations section
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Introduction to Incident Scene Photography New Mexico State Police Criminal Investigations Section Crime Scene Team. Learning Objectives. Identify the requirements for a photo to be admissible in a court of law Identify the elements of a good, technical photograph. Learning Objectives. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Introduction to Incident Introduction to Incident Scene PhotographyScene Photography
New Mexico State PoliceNew Mexico State PoliceCriminal Investigations SectionCriminal Investigations Section
Crime Scene TeamCrime Scene Team
Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives
Identify the requirements for a Identify the requirements for a photo to be admissible in a court of photo to be admissible in a court of lawlaw
Identify the elements of a good, Identify the elements of a good, technical photographtechnical photograph
Learning Objectives
Identify the elements of technical photography
Demonstrate how to properly photograph footwear impressions
Demonstrate how to properly photograph tire impressions
Demonstrate how to properly photograph latent prints
Introduction to Incident Introduction to Incident Scene PhotographyScene Photography
IntroductionIntroduction For police officers, photography has For police officers, photography has
become the primary way of become the primary way of documenting crime & traffic documenting crime & traffic collision scenes.collision scenes.
Photography is a combination of art Photography is a combination of art & science.& science.
Why Take Photographs At A Why Take Photographs At A Crime Scene?Crime Scene?
Photographs document the scene in a Photographs document the scene in a way people can understand.way people can understand.
Photographs can be used to recreate the Photographs can be used to recreate the crime and to prove or disprove a crime and to prove or disprove a suspect’s explanation.suspect’s explanation.
They can help a jury understand where They can help a jury understand where and how the crime was committed.and how the crime was committed.
A picture is worth a thousand words.A picture is worth a thousand words.
To Be Admissible in To Be Admissible in CourtCourt
FairFairNot biased or prejudicialNot biased or prejudicial
Must not appeal to the emotions of Must not appeal to the emotions of the jurythe jury
AccurateAccurateTechnically correctTechnically correct
Form, Tone, Color and ScaleForm, Tone, Color and Scale
To Be Admissible in To Be Admissible in CourtCourt
RelevantRelevant Of value to the court and jury in Of value to the court and jury in
making decisionsmaking decisions Chain of Custody must be maintainedChain of Custody must be maintained
The photo must be identifiedThe photo must be identified Introduced in court by a person who is Introduced in court by a person who is
qualified to identify itqualified to identify it
NM DPS Digital Imaging NM DPS Digital Imaging PolicyPolicy
CaptureCapture Take pictures in accordance with the manufacture's Take pictures in accordance with the manufacture's
instructions, DPS policy and your training and instructions, DPS policy and your training and experience.experience.
Do not view the images (other than by the camera's Do not view the images (other than by the camera's built-in monitor) prior to the images being built-in monitor) prior to the images being transferred to CD.transferred to CD.
StorageStorage Store the images onto a permanent media (CD) as Store the images onto a permanent media (CD) as
soon as possible. Once the images are stored onto a soon as possible. Once the images are stored onto a CD, the CD will be treated as original evidence...CD, the CD will be treated as original evidence...
NM DPS Digital Imaging NM DPS Digital Imaging PolicyPolicy
The CD should be labeled with a permanent (Sharpie) marker:The CD should be labeled with a permanent (Sharpie) marker: Case #Case # Item #Item # Photographer's namePhotographer's name Date images were captured & date transferred to discDate images were captured & date transferred to disc Location where the images were capturedLocation where the images were captured
Dissemination and image enhancementDissemination and image enhancement Before any enhancements are made, you must make a working Before any enhancements are made, you must make a working
copy of the CD.copy of the CD. An “Image-Processing Log" shall be kept for enhancements. An “Image-Processing Log" shall be kept for enhancements.
The log will detail The log will detail all all steps used to obtain the enhanced image. steps used to obtain the enhanced image. The software (& version) shall be documented. The software (& version) shall be documented.
Software shall be generally or scientifically accepted in the Software shall be generally or scientifically accepted in the photography community as a valid tool for enhancement.photography community as a valid tool for enhancement.
Labeling the Disc as Labeling the Disc as EvidenceEvidence
Label as Label as OriginalOriginal
Case#Case# Item#Item# Case Agent Case Agent DescriptionDescription Date takenDate taken Date to Date to
discdisc PhotographPhotograph
erer
Elements of a Good, Technical Photograph
Must be correctly exposed Have maximum depth of field Have an accurate perspective Be in sharp focus
Impression Evidence Orientation (overview and midrange
shots) Show where the impression is located in the
crime scene. Close-up
Use a scale on the same plane as the impression.
Keep the film plane parallel to the plane of the impression
MUST USE A TRIPOD Lighting
Block out ambient light with a large piece of cardboard and use a strong light source at oblique angle to show the best detail in the impression.
Footwear Impression @
90°
Tire Impressions
Photograph tire impressions in sections showing one circumference of the tire.
Taking overlapping photographs, with a tape measure, parallel to the tire impression.
Tire Impressions
Photography of Very Important Vehicles
Exterior Photos Use the “21 point” method
Sometimes it is not possible to get all 21 photos Do your best If you have multiple vehicles involved in a crash
Take the standard over-view photos of the ENTIRE scene first
Then, take 21 photos of each vehicle individually Then, take mid-range and close-up photos of the
evidence
Front Edge
Front Axle
Side
Rear Axle
Rear Edge
Diagonal DiagonalEdge
Edge
Rear
Edge
Edge
Front
DiagonalDiagonal
Front Edge
Front Axle
Side
Rear Axle
Rear Edge
These 20 Photos + 1 Photo Directly Down = 21 Photos
21 Point Method
Begin by Taking Over-view Photos of the Scene
Then, Take 21 Photos of Each Vehicle
Example of 21 Photos of Each Vehicle
21 Photos of Each Vehicle
21 Photos of Each Vehicle
21 Photos of Each Vehicle
21 Photos of Each Vehicle
21 Photos of Each Vehicle
21 Photos of Each Vehicle
21 Photos of Each Vehicle
21 Photos of Each Vehicle
21 Photos of Each Vehicle
You will not be able to get all 21 shots due to the position of the vehicles
Just do your best
Photographing the Interior of a Vehicle
Photographing the Interior of a Vehicle
Photographing the Interior of a Vehicle
Photographing the Interior of a Vehicle
Photographing the Interior of a Vehicle
Photographing the Tread Pattern
Fingerprints Should be photographed before
lifting Orientation shot to show location Consider using black & white film for
greater contrast Macro or close-up lens Scale on the same plane must be
used 90 degree shot Use a tripod
Fingerprints
Tool marks & serial numbers
Orientation photo Evidence at the scene
Close-up photos Use a scale on the same plane as the
evidence 90 degree photo Oblique light to create small shadows in
the detail Use a tripod.
Serial Number
Toolmarks
Impression Evidence Orientation
Show where the impression is located in the overall crime scene.
Lighting Block out the ambient light with an
umbrella and use a strong light source at an oblique angle to show the best details.
Close-up Use a scale on the same plane as the
impression. Keep the film plane 90° to the impression Consider using a tripod
Footwear Impression
Tire Impressions
Photograph tire impressions in sections showing one circumference of the tire.
Taking overlapping photographs, with a tape measure, parallel to the tire impression.
Keep the film plane 90° to the impression
Tire Impressions
Photography of Bloodstains
Use color film Take orientation photos to show
location Take close-up photos to show detail Keep the film plane 90° to the print
L-shape ruler is preferred to get both width and length of stain
Consider using a tripod
Photography of Bloodstains
Use bounced lighting or diffused light. Oblique lighting works best when
dealing with stains on fabric (very low angles).
May need additional magnification A macro lens or the macro feature on the
camera A step-up lens
Overview, midrange, close up
Photos of bloodstains
Bloodstains @ 90° To the Floor
Bloodstains @ 90° to Wall
Low Light Photography Issues
We often need to photograph scenes in low light, the following is an overview.
The CSI Effect means that Juries no longer rely on just your word. They want to see what you saw.
Your ability to shoot in low light will depend on Ambient light Your photography equipment Lighting Equipment that you can supply
DWI equipment, etc. Other resources available to you
Fire Department lighting equipment, etc.
One Flash
Flash + Existing Light
Flash & flashlight uses Bounce flash
Light is bounced off white, reflective surface
Fill flash To fill the shadow/shaded area
Multiple flash Painting with light
Flashlight Painting with light
Direct One or more light sources at 45 degree
angles
Flash Photography Direct reflective
Light is reflected directly off the subject into lens, and causes very high contrast
Oblique lighting Light source at low angle, usually to show detail by
creating shadows in the subject surface
Diffused lighting An translucent material is placed between the light
source and subject
Transmitted lighting With transparent subjects the light source is
transmitted through the subject toward the lens
No Flash vs. Multiple Flash
No Flash vs. Multiple Flash
1, 2 & Multiple Flash
The basics of low light photos
Put your camera on a tripod or sturdy surface turn your car off if that is
what you are using
Put you camera on a manual type setting (M) Set the aperture (A) as
low as it will go Set the shutter speed (S,
Tv) as slow as it will go
Turn on the timer function, turn off the flash The flash will
automatically make the shutter speed too fast for this.
The basics of low light photos
Light up the scene with a flashlight, and focus the camera.
Press the button to take the photo, and when the shutter opens (you hear the click)
Shine as many lights into the scene from as many different angles as you can until the shutter closes (it clicks again)
Don’t shine the light toward your camera.
Off shoe flashes are best, incandescent bulb flashlights are OK, LEDs are not so good (beam of light is too focused)
Look at the back of your camera to see if you need more or less light, and take more photos.
PHOTOS OF A.L.S. AND LUMINOLThe rules are different for these photos. They require additional training and experience to do them correctly
The EndThe End