Procedure Statement
The crime scene photography will provide true and accurate documentation of the crime scene by recording the physical evidence in its original state. The goal is to come up with visual evidence that can be examined forensically later on (Mößner, 2013).
Statement of Purpose
The photographs will be taken in a way that guarantees a clear, high quality and undistorted documentation that captures the evidence, crime scenes, and any individual of interest in the criminal investigation (Tucker, 2013).
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Terms and definitions
Crime Scene: The specific area where criminal activity happened.
Tripod: A long stand used for holding cameras when capturing wide ranges.
Camera: A digital instrument used to capture images.
Lens: A visual tool used in conjunction with cameras to capture images.
Evidence: A body of facts used to implicates or insinuate a crime scene.
Specific Responsibilities
Crime Scene Protection
Crime scene photography is a way of collecting evidence. Before any evidence is collected, it is imperative to secure the crime scene. Securing the crime scene first begins with demarcating the area to ensure that the focus is placed on the essential parts. Demarcating the crime scene also ensures that non-essential persons are exempted from entering the specific area where the unlawful act has happened. Based on the Locard's exchange principle, the security of the crime scene is vital in ensuring that evidence is not tampered with (Rohatgi & Kapoor, 2014). It is also vital to protect the crime scene in a bid to prevent any human-made changes that might occur. Thus, forensic officers must restrict unauthorized entry into the area.
Equipment
Camera and Lenses
Crime scene photographers require high-quality digital cameras to perform their work with the quality required. The cameras must have 10 megapixel or higher resolution. The manual exposure and image sensors must be of high quality. Most forensic experts prefer the traditional 35 mm camera (Tucker, 2013). Different lenses are also required depending on the needs of the photographer. For close-up shots, the photographers need macro lenses because they capture images in great detail. Zoom lenses, on the other hand, allow the photographer to take both close-up and wide-angle shots without having to move constantly (Rohatgi & Kapoor, 2014).
Photographic Accessories
The camera alone does not guarantee a good job. The photographer must come with an additional toolkit containing various photographic accessories. Since most cameras have limited internal storage, a memory card of a large size will play a vital role in capturing the entire scene (Zimmerman, 2017). The crime scene photographers must carry back-up batteries, including the rechargeable ones.
Tripod
Tripods are used to ensure that the cameras are steady. It also prevents blurring and clarity of the images produced (Zimmerman, 2017). Close shots, however, do not require the tripods. Wider shots need a tripod to ensure that the photograph captures the entire scene.
Lighting
Photographers of crime scenes have little control over the environment they work in. While taking photos, these professionals might lack the required amount of natural light for quality pictures. A portable lighting or an external flash will, therefore, be needed to ensure that the photos produced to meet the required qualities (Zimmerman, 2017).
Safety Precautions
The photographer must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety boots, gloves, and a dust coat. Photography might require an individual to make certain maneuvers within the crime scene. Thus, it is crucial to where the PPEs to avoid the hazards.
Types of Photos
The first type of photo is referred to as the overall photographs. The goal is to capture the crime scene in its entirety. It shows the position of the scene, including its defining boundaries. The picture is normally taken in an overlapping manner from the outside of the crime scene's boundaries (Rohatgi & Kapoor, 2014). The second type of photo is referred to as the midrange photograph. It gives a viewer a more involved perspective of the image. Spatial relationships and other evidential items are demonstrated in the photo. Close-up photos are taken from a close range. They depict particular elements making up the evidence in the scene of the crime (Zimmerman, 2017).
Photo Identification
Each photo taken should be given an identifier. An identifier should describe the location is taken, case number, date, and a unique number that flows chronologically. The photos should also be stored depending on the case type (Zimmerman, 2017).
Chain of Custody
Before the photo evidence is released to a person, the original version must be protected in digital and hard copy forms. The digital version can be protected using a particular computer pattern or protocol. The released photo should have a unique identifier that shows that the rights of the picture are with someone else.
Storage of Photos
The best way to preserve the photo is in the JPEG format. The JPEG format allows the photographer to save it both in digital and hard-copy formats. The main precautions that should be taken include protection with strong passwords and firewalls to avoid cyber theft (Rohatgi & Kapoor, 2014). All hard copies should have a distinct identifier to secure the chain of custody.
Reconstruction of the Crime Scene
A photographer is not a scientific officer and therefore possesses limited knowledge as far as reconstructing the crime scene is concerned. The best way to reconstruct the crime scene is through deductive reasoning and assessment of the relationship between physical evidence.
Presentation at Trial
For a photo to qualify as evidence, it must be authentic and relevant to the case at hand. An additional witness must positively confirm that the photograph accurately represents the crime scene. A video or a PowerPoint presentation will aid the process of presentation (Zimmerman, 2017).
References
Mößner, N. (2013). Photographic evidence and the problem of theory-ladenness. Journal for General Philosophy of Science, 44(1), 111-125.
Rohatgi, R., & Kapoor, A. K. (2014). Importance of still photography at the scene of crime: A forensic vs. judicial perspective. J Harmonized Res Appl Sci, 2, 271-4.
Tucker, J. (2013). Nature exposed: photography as eyewitness in Victorian science. JHU Press.
Zimmerman, C. (2017). Reading the (Photographic) Evidence. Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians, 76(4), 446-448.
