Forensic photography: techniques and applications

Forensic photography is also known as crime scene imaging and it refers to an art of producing accurate reproduction of a crime scene or a scene of an accident using photography for the purpose of being used in court to help in an investigation . Forensic photography has evolved into a steadfast part of the process of investigation. Together with the statements from witnesses, reports made by officers and other physical evidence which is provided by the crime forensic photography is used in providing an accurate account which can not be changed. This is part of an evidence collection process. It provides those investigating a case with photos of the victim, items and places involved in that crime. Pictures taken on an accident scene show broken machinery or the car crash and so on. This type of photography involves the choice of correct lighting, accuracy in the angling of the lenses and collecting different viewpoints. It also involves scales such as items of measuring length or objects whose sizes are known are usually used in these pictures so as to enable dimensions of the items are also recorded in the image. The scenes of crime officers are given the task of recording the crime scene with the use of various things and the most common one is photography.

Issue

The issue is why a scene is photographed and how forensic photography is used. The crime scene is normally photographed so as to minimize the risk of getting statements that are conflicting. If there is a corpse at the scene then it will also be photographed post modern in order for there to be a record of how the body was found, the position it was found and the nature of the mortal injuries which can be a subject of later investigation. A forensic photographer will use several indicators which will enable the production of a photo that can be analyzed later.

Rule

Photographers of a crime or accident scene normally capture images in color but also in black and white. For example, photograph of a skid marks was made during the reconstruction at the scene of the accident in order to show why and how the ladder had slipped and hence caused serious injury to the one using it. Generally, color pictures are preferred since color might be an important aspect of tracing evidence. For instance the traces of paint on evidence might be very crucial to liking the evidence with an accident or crime. The normal film photographs even those that use disposable cameras normally have a high resolution that enables there to be a great enlargement incase details in a picture need to be examined closely.

Pictures form surveillance cameras are now a growing source of evidence that is b being used in courts in the same way pictures that are taken by standers even using their mobile phones. Digital photography has an automatic date ad time marker on every image so that the authenticity of the image can be verified. Convectional photographs that lack such marks have to be authenticated by a photographer normally in a witness statement. Pictures of relative position of objects can be used to establish a sequence of events at an accident or crime scene. As a result of the advancing in digital technology as well as software there is an increased use of digital single-lens by law enforcement agencies (Claridge, 2012).

Analysis

In many cases photographic evidence is important when it comes to prosecution and defense counsels. This also means that the nature of the crime is displayed to officers of the investigation team who were tot able to attend. Therefore, crime scenes are usually photographed in order for the intricate details can be recorded and used for future reference. There are different types of cameras, lenses and light which can be used for forensic photography at the same time night vision photography can be used in other scenarios. With the advancements in modern technology, it means that crime scenes are not only being photographed by they are also being video recorded in order to represent an accurate depiction of what was happening at the time of the crime. This is vey useful in criminal proceedings and subsequent court cases.

Forensic photographers use height indicators and they are placed next to the piece of evidence before a photograph is taken. This is usually meant to portray height, radius and distance particular in those crime scenes that are outside or in enclosed places. The numbered markers are also used as a cross reference of the evidence against any report that ahs been made and they find themselves referred to as exhibits in a court proceeding. Crime scene photos are used not just as evidence but as a blueprint for the reconstruction of a scene or an event at a latter time. The reconstructive events can be used as a way of jogging memories of passers by that might have witnessed the event or seen a perpetrator without realizing they had seen them.