Crime Scene

Practical Photography and Digital Photography for Crime Scene Investigators, Arson Investigators and Accident Investigators

Length of Seminar: 2 Days
Instructor: Joseph E. Fyffe

Course Objectives:

The Electromagnetic Spectrum and the Characteristics of Light: This segment will familiarize the student with radiation and visible light. He/She will learn the various color changes that daylight endures from sunrise to sunset and the effects these changes have on the finished photo. He/She will learn how filters and artificial light can control these imbalances. We will study shadows, how to eliminate them and how to use them, when necessary, to add contrast to our photos. We will study the effect that various surfaces have on the light reflecting from them, and how to control these factors to provide the most explicit presentation to members of the Court. Explanation will be given on how and where to meter both simple and complex crime scenes for the best possible exposure.

Film: Recommendations will be made regarding the preferred types of film, for those crimes, where film may be the chosen media. Discussion will be had, explaining similarities, as well as, dissimilarities regarding the proper usage of both formats. Students will be introduced to various enhancement possibilities which may be applicable to either format, allowing the most accurate visualization of the crime scene as it appeared at the time of occurrence. International recommendations will be provided regarding issues concerning photographic enhancements, as well as, methods employed to maintain the highest level of integrity of the evidentiary photographs.

Camera Design and Function: During this period we will discuss how to use the various features and functions of the officers equipment to control the photograph and to provide the exposure and other qualities expected by todays’ court standards.

Depth of Field: One of the most important aspects of crime scene photography, depth of field, will be explained, along with a “Two L” method to facilitate remembering the procedures used to control this aspect of photography. During this “Hands-On” session, the Instructor will provide a demonstration and those students, having cameras, will have the opportunity to practice these techniques, providing them the ability to emphasize the critical portion of the photograph and de-emphasize distracting, non critical areas.

Lenses: Students will gain an in-depth knowledge of various types of lenses and of various distortional and visual perspective issues inherent in some specialty lenses and how to minimize these detrimental effects through proper lens selection and usage. Consideration will be given to potential defense questioning.

Flash Photography: This section will train the student in using artificial light. He/She will learn the attributes of this equipment and its ability to control depth of field, stop action, maintain correct color balance and generally improve our overall photography. It will provide an understanding of balancing flash with daylight to yield a three dimensional photograph and/or illustrate the relationship of items of evidence to the overall scene.

Painting With Light: In this segment the instructor will demonstrate the aspects of painting with light, allowing virtually any size area to be documented on a single photograph using minimal artificial lighting equipment, even in total darkness.

Crime Scene Documentation: The student will learn how to photographically preserve the scene to later allow “walking the court through the scene”. He/She will learn what is required by the Federal Rules of evidence.

Digital Imaging: The student will be confronted with the benefits and challenges of the electronic medium of Digital Imaging. We will discuss various concerns in the choosing of equipment and in providing proof of the authenticity of the image for presentation into evidence. The function of various software packages will be explained, as well as, how this software may be obtained. Instructor will demonstrate various acceptable features of Adobe Photoshop, as time allows.

“When Poor Quality Photographs Are Presented As Evidence In Court, Doubt Is Often Created In The Court's Mind And The Minds Of The Jurors As To The Proficiency Of The Officer Who Took The Photographs, As Well As The Officer's Proficiency In The Investigation.”