CJ327 Unit 6 Seminar Photographing Victims. There are many important points to remember in photographing victims. What is one photograph we must have

CJ327CJ327

Unit 6 SeminarUnit 6 Seminar

Photographing VictimsPhotographing Victims

There are many important There are many important points to remember in points to remember in photographing victims.photographing victims.

What is one photograph we What is one photograph we must have of the victim?must have of the victim?

We must have a facial We must have a facial photograph to identify photograph to identify who the victim is whether who the victim is whether living or deceased. living or deceased.

Not necessarily to show in Not necessarily to show in court, but in case we have court, but in case we have an unidentified victim.an unidentified victim.

Facial photographs of Facial photographs of unknown victims can be sent unknown victims can be sent to the to the mediamedia or circulated to or circulated to possibly find someone that possibly find someone that

recognizes them.recognizes them.

What focal length lens What focal length lens should we use for this should we use for this full face photograph of full face photograph of

the victim?the victim?

Between 100 – 120mm.Between 100 – 120mm.

The same used by portrait The same used by portrait photographers.photographers.

A 50mm lens when close A 50mm lens when close enough to the face for full enough to the face for full

frame can cause distortions.frame can cause distortions.

Used with permission Courtesy of GWU MFS Student Paul Nelson. (Page 361)Robinson, E. M. (2007). Crime scene photography. Burlington, MA: Academic.

Full face photo? Full face photo? No: too far No: too far away.away.

Copyright © 2010, Elsevier Inc. Used with permission. E. M Robinson.

This is how it This is how it should look. Fill the should look. Fill the frame with the frame with the head.head.


Be careful how you position your flash!Be careful how you position your flash!


QuestionQuestion

In order to give a complete In order to give a complete “panorama” view of a “panorama” view of a

deceased victim’s body, deceased victim’s body, before being moved, how before being moved, how many photographs would many photographs would

that require?that require?

AnswerAnswerSix total photographsSix total photographsFrom the headFrom the headFrom the feetFrom the feetFrom the left and right sidesFrom the left and right sidesFrom directly overheadFrom directly overheadOne of the face, full-frameOne of the face, full-frame

Used with permission Courtesy of GWU MFS Student Saraya Dickson. (Page 359)Robinson, E. M. (2007). Crime scene photography. Burlington, MA: Academic.

What are some special What are some special considerations for sexual considerations for sexual

assault victims the assault victims the photographer should be photographer should be concerned about before concerned about before

and during photographing?and during photographing?

Sexual Assault VictimsSexual Assault Victims Where are the photographs Where are the photographs

being taken?being taken? The hospital is usually the best The hospital is usually the best

place. We’ll say why in a minute.place. We’ll say why in a minute. Who is present?Who is present? What are the victim’s wishes?What are the victim’s wishes? What would be some “best What would be some “best

practices?”practices?”

Best PracticesBest Practices

Empathize with their situation.Empathize with their situation.


Empathize with their situation.Empathize with their situation. Consider how embarrassing this Consider how embarrassing this

would be to the victim.would be to the victim.


Empathize with their situation.Empathize with their situation. Consider how embarrassing this Consider how embarrassing this

would be to the victim.would be to the victim. Ask them if they would like Ask them if they would like

anyone in particular to be with anyone in particular to be with them to help them feel more them to help them feel more comfortable. comfortable.

Best PracticesBest Practices Use a female photographer for a Use a female photographer for a

female victim if available. female victim if available.


female victim if available. female victim if available. Never have the face in the same Never have the face in the same

photograph as sensitive (private) photograph as sensitive (private) areas of the body. (Page 377)areas of the body. (Page 377)


female victim if available. female victim if available. Never have the face in the same Never have the face in the same

photograph as sensitive (private) photograph as sensitive (private) areas of the body. (Page 377)areas of the body. (Page 377)

This can be very embarrassing This can be very embarrassing to the victim in court and reflects to the victim in court and reflects on your professionalism. on your professionalism.

Best PracticesBest Practices Have a nurse present during the Have a nurse present during the

photographs. photographs. Uncover only the areas Uncover only the areas

absolutely needed for evidence. absolutely needed for evidence. Keep other areas covered.Keep other areas covered.

There is no need for the victims There is no need for the victims to expose themselves more than to expose themselves more than necessary. necessary.

Technical Considerations Technical Considerations

QuestionQuestion

What are some What are some flash problems that flash problems that

can occur when can occur when photographing photographing

skin?skin?

AnswerAnswer

Oils in the skin can cause Oils in the skin can cause unwanted glare.unwanted glare.

AnswerAnswer

Oils in the skin can cause Oils in the skin can cause unwanted glare.unwanted glare.

Solution is to bounce the Solution is to bounce the flash or diffuse it.flash or diffuse it.

We want to use a 50mm lens We want to use a 50mm lens wherever possible to wherever possible to

prevent distortion.prevent distortion.

Except…Except…

Full frame photographs of Full frame photographs of the face.the face.

Remember!Remember!Full face photographs with a Full face photographs with a

50mm lens can make the 50mm lens can make the nose look longer.nose look longer.

It will distort the view of the It will distort the view of the face.face.

Page 361 in your textPage 361 in your text

If photographing injuries places If photographing injuries places you closer to the victim, you closer to the victim,

compensate for possible flash glare compensate for possible flash glare by by diffusing or bouncing the flash. diffusing or bouncing the flash.

In a hospital, there is usually plenty In a hospital, there is usually plenty of lighting and bouncing the flash of lighting and bouncing the flash

will be more than sufficient.will be more than sufficient.

The walls are usually white to off-The walls are usually white to off-white so there is good light white so there is good light

reflection. reflection.

What are the benefits of taking What are the benefits of taking photographs of a domestic photographs of a domestic

violence victim 24 - 48 hours violence victim 24 - 48 hours later, if they permit it?later, if they permit it?

Bruising will be much more Bruising will be much more pronounced and will enhance the pronounced and will enhance the

strength of the case. strength of the case.



Sometimes feelings between Sometimes feelings between domestic partners change, domestic partners change,

tempers cool and the victim may tempers cool and the victim may refuse.refuse.



Sometimes feelings between Sometimes feelings between domestic partners change, domestic partners change,

tempers cool and the victim may tempers cool and the victim may refuse.refuse.

That is okay; just go with what That is okay; just go with what you have. you have.

Discussion Discussion

or or

Additional Questions?Additional Questions?

Documents

CJ327 Unit 6 Seminar Photographing Victims. There are many important points to remember in photographing victims. What is one photograph we must have