introduction to incident scene photography new mexico state police criminal investigations section

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