photographing the scene

Photographing The Crime
Scene Notes

Photographing The Crime
Scene Practice.

Agenda

Learning Target
I can demonstrate
the skills needed to
properly photograph
a crime scene.

Thursday
2/15

Science

Wrap-Up
In one sentence, summarize
what you
learned/accomplished today.

Then, rate your
understanding of the
Learning Target.

PHOTOGRAPHING

THE

CRIME SCENE

Recording the Scene

•Investigators must work against the clock to
document evidence.
•Factors such as location, weather, and time of day
may affect the time that investigators have at a
crime scene.
•Evidence must be preserved until it can be
photographed.
•Photographs are important, as they provide
documentation/reference and are required for
presentation at a trial.

Recording the Scene

• The crime scene must remain

unaltered

• Exception: cases where injured people

need attention

• Sometimes accidents happen (ex.

Investigator kicks weapon and it moves
across the floor). In cases like this, a
fact should be noted in the report

• If objects are removed, positions

changed, or tampered with, the
evidence may not be admissible in
court

Recording the Scene

•Crime scenes should be photographed as
completely as possible.
•Photographs of the following should be made:

• Area in which the crime took place
• Adjacent areas to the crime scene
• Overview photographs
• Points of entry and exit
• Body (if applicable)
• Evidence

Recording the Scene

•Investigators must use proper technique when
photographing evidence

• A item of “scale” should be in the picture (ex. Ruler, quarter,

etc.)

• Each piece of evidence must be photographed at 3 different

angles

• Each angle should be photographed at 3 distances (close, mid

range, long shots)- 9 total photos minimum

•As physical evidence is discovered, the evidence is
photographed in an attempt to show its position and
location relative to the entire scene.

Oblique Lighting

•Sometimes, evidence is difficult to see and photograph.
•Oblique lighting can help investigators make this evidence
visible for photography.
•Oblique lighting uses a light source positioned at a low
angle.
•It is usually used to show detail by creating shadows on
the surface of the evidence.
•Oblique lighting is commonly used when photographing
impressions, tool marks and certain types of fingerprints.

Oblique Lighting

Oblique lighting uses a light source positioned

at a low angle. A very low oblique angle of
lighting can be used to photograph dusty

footwear impressions and indented writing.

Oblique Lighting

We will now watch a short video over the basics of crime scene photography.

Video Link: https://youtu.be/phd2vbGw1LI

The Basics of Crime Scene
Photography

Practice Makes Perfect

• Today, you will practice your Forensic photography skills.
• There is evidence set up in and outside of the classroom.
• Each piece of evidence is marked with a numbered evidence

markers.

• Your job is to rotate through each piece of evidence taking

photographs according to the procedures outlined in the
lesson today.

• When finished, showcase 1 piece of evidence (9 total

photographs) in the form of a PicCollage, iMovie, InstaCollage,
or other multimedia source of your choosing.