Exercise I - Crime Scene Documentation—Still Photography

Abstract

The purpose of crime scene photography is to provide a visual record of the scene and related areas, to record a “true and accurate” appearance of the crime scene and physical evidence, to provide investigators and others with the permanent record for subsequent analysis of the scene, and to provide the permanent record to the courts. The traditional method for visual documentation of crime scenes and physical evidence is the use of still photography. Crime scene photography is one of the most important steps in the entire investigation process. Photographing the crime scene is normally done immediately following videography of the scene. If no videography is done, then the still photography of the scene begins immediately following the preliminary scene survey. The systematic, organized method for recording the crime scene and pertinent physical evidence is most often achieved by following a progressive, general-to-specific guideline (see Fig. I.1). This process has been described as going from overall views to mid-range views to close-up views. By following this guideline process, the conditions as shown in the photographs give an objective, not subjective representation of the crime scene. The progressive, stepwise nature of the photographs allows for orientation of the crime scene as a whole and the orientation of the evidence within the crime scene. High-quality, high-resolution close-up photography can provide and also provides examination-quality photographs of specific items of evidence. The forensic laboratory for examination purposes may use these photographs when the actual evidence cannot be collected.