FREE online courses on the Basics to Forensic Entomology - Analyzing the
crime scene - Forensic Photography
The first thing that needs to be done after securing the
crime scene is photographing it. This creates a permanent record of the
condition of the crime scene, one that is incontestable. First, take a picture
that shows where the scene is; a shot with a street sign with the crime scene
location in the background. Take pictures of the areas around the crime scene;
alleys, dumpsters, rear areas, neighboring structures and even the structures
across the street.
Next, take pictures of the outside of the structure, showing
points of entry and exit. Enter the structure, taking shots that show the
locations and layout of the rooms. Take pictures of the whole room where the
crime took place. Take close-ups of the scene or body. All pictures of items of
evidence, which will be covered in the next paragraph, should be taking both
with and without a scale (a small ruler showing the size of the object). Take
pictures with the scale to show the size of an object. Take pictures without the
scale in case its presence in the picture blocks other evidence.
What items are photographed at a crime scene? Bullet
casings; photograph as a group and photograph individually. Photograph any
dropped items, footprints or animal tracks. If a homicide, photograph the body
or bodies. Photograph any tool marks, bite marks or skin impressions.
Photograph wound holes and insects around the holes. Any insects around the body
or crime scene. Basically, anything that might be evidence is photographed.
Imprint evidence requires extra measures. Shoe imprints are
photographed individually and as a series or group. Shoe imprints need to be
lit from the side to show as much detail in the imprint as possible. Tire
imprints are photographed from above as a whole. If the tire imprint is four
feet long, then a picture showing all four feet is taken. Detail pictures are
then taken showing one foot sections, each picture overlapping the one before
it. This way, specific detail can be show and the overlapping pictures lined up
to show the whole print. Again, all pictures are take with and without a scale.
There is a special technique for no light situations. This
technique is useful outdoors at night (perhaps a car accident scene), or in
situations where the room is too big to light or there is no light available for
pictures to be taken (such as a burnt out warehouse arson). The camera is set
on a tripod with its shutter locked open. The photographer walks to several
points in the room, popping off the flash, which is held in his or her hand.
Each time the flash goes off, the film in the camera is exposed to another part
of the room. The photographer does not appear as he/she is behind the flash and
does not get exposed to the light when it pops off and only moves around the
room while it is still dark. Remember, the film in a camera captures light. If
there is no light, you can walk around in front of a camera all you want and
never show up on the film.
Video is also used to film crime scenes, taking long sweeping
shots that take in everything in an unbroken time frame.
