Photography in Forensics

Photography’s purpose in forensics

• Photographs of a crime scene may be used in court as evidence.

• Pictures provide a permanent unchanging record of how the scene was shown initially

• Secure the scene• Make notes• Take a photo of the complete overview of the

scene.• Make a sketch• Record each item of evidence with a number

or tag.• Do not try to reconstruct the original scene if

evidence is moved.

Process when photographing a crime

Crime Scene Sketch

Homicide photography

• Take close up of body wounds

Homicide Photography

• Take pictures of weapons

Homicide photography

• Photograph evidence of a struggle– Skin under nails– Bloody handprints– Blood splatter

• Photograph signs of activity prior to the homicide.

• Take photos as if you were the witnesses during the crime to see what they saw.

Suicide Photography

• Photograph the scene as if it were a homicide• In addition to the murder weapon, take

photos of self inflicted wounds or items such as a pill bottle, or suicide note.

Burglary Photography

• Begin by photographing the exterior of the building.

• Then photograph the point of entry• Take photos of all interior rooms• Take close ups of areas were valuables were

removed• Take photos of any damage to property such as

locks or safes• Take pictures of anything left behind by the burglar.

Burglary walkthrough

This is the floor plan of the home where a burglary occurred

1. First take a photo of the outside of the home where the burglary occurred2. Next photograph the point of entry, in

this case the lock at the front door had been tampered with.

4. Photograph areas where valuables were removed

5. Photograph any damage to safes or locks, such as this safe or the front door where the lock was picked

6. Photograph anything the burglar left behind, in this case he dropped a pen which may lead us to identify him with fingerprints or the company name on the pen.

3. Photograph all rooms in the home

Bite Mark Photography

• Bite mark photography is similar to photography of injuries such as bruises and stab wounds.

• Take a close- up photo at a 90 degree angle so the image isn’t distorted.

• Put a ruler in the photo in the same plane as the teeth for a scale.

Bite mark Photography

A ruler is used to show measurements of the bite mark to scale in the image

By processing the image of the bite mark, a team is able to make a reconstruction of the original jaw.

By analyzing bite marks you can match the bite in the strawberry to a persons set of teeth

Traffic accidents

• Photograph at the scene of the accident• Photograph where the vehicle(s) ended their

accident.• Photograph any damage to the vehicles• Take a photo on each side of the vehicle in line with

the axles.• Take a photo on each end of the vehicle• Take pictures of debris and skid marks• Inside the vehicle if possible

Traffic Accidents

Skid marks and debris

Photographing fingerprints

• Photograph prints before lifting them• Use macro to photograph

• Use a scale in the photo

Photographing fingerprints

Outdoor pictures

• Take a photo of the building where the crime occurred

• Take aerial shots• Make sure photos show all entrances exits

windows and any other entry points

Outdoor pictures

1.) Take aerial view

2.) Take photos of all entry points front and back.

Indoor pictures

• Take photo of the entrance

• All other photos are the same as photographing a burglary.

• Make sure your camera has correct setting and proper lighting to take clear images.

Autopsy

• Take pictures of wounds or identifying marks– Tattoos– Piercings– Scratches– Birthmarks

• Only an overhead picture is taken, not many pictures are taken during autopsy.