Definition of terms

Photography The art and science of reproducing image means of light

through some sensitized material with the aid of camera, lens and accessories and the chemical process required in order to produce a photograph

Forensic Derived from the latin word “forum” which means “a

market place” where people gathered for public discussion When used in conjunction with other sciences it connotes

a relationship to the administration of justice. It is sometimes used interchangeably with the word legal.

Police Photography The application of the principles of photography in

relation to the police work and in the administration of justice

Photograph The mechanical and chemical result of photography Picture and photograph are not the same. Picture is

a generic term which refers to all kinds of formed image while photoraph is an image that can only be a product of photography

Use of Photography

Personal Identification Considered to be the first application of photoraphy

in police work Alphonse Bertillion was the first police to utilize

photography in police work as a supplementary identification in the anthropometry system

Communication Photograph is considered to be one of the most

universal methods of communication considering that no other language can be known universally than photography

For Record Purposes Considered to be the utmost use of photography in police

work. Examples: General View

Taking an over all view of the scene of the crime Shows the direction and location of the crime scene

Medium View Taking of photograph of the scene of the crime by dividing it into

section Best view of the nature of the crime

Close-Up View Taking of individual photograph of the evidence at the scene of

the crime Designed to show the details of the crime

Extreme Close-Up View Commonly designed in laboratory photographing using

magnification

For Preservation Crime scene and other physical evidence requires

photograph for preservation purposes Crime scene cannot be retained as is for a long

period of time but through photograph the initial condition of the scene of the crime can be preserved properly

For Discovering and Proving Photography can extend human vision in discovering and

proving such as: Use of Magnification: Photomicrography

Taking a magnified photograph of small object through attaching a camera to the ocular of a compound microscope so as to show minute details of physical evidence

Photomacrography/ Macrophotography Taking a magnified (enlarged) photoraph of small object by

attaching an extended tube lens (macro lens) to the camera Microphotography

Process of reducing into small strips of film a scenario First used in film making

Telephotography Taking of a photograph of a far away object with telephoto lens

Use of artificial light such as x-ray, ultra-violet, infra-red rays to show something shich may not be visible to the human eye

For Court Exhibits Almost all evidence presented in court before

formally be accepted requires that they satisfy the basic requirements for admissability which is relevancy and competency.

Evidence presented and accepted in court is referred to as evidence Exhibit 1, 2, 3 – Defense Exhibit A, B, C – Prosecution

Crime Prevention With use of video camera (hidden camera) and

other advance phtographic equipment are being detected more easily and prevent it from occuring

Police Training Modern facilities are now being used as instructional

material Reproducing and Copying

Any number of reproduction of the evidence can be made giving unlimited opportunity for its examination and allow experts or other person to examine specimen without compromising the original

Essentials of Photography

Light Camera Lens Sensitized Material Chemical Process