What are the Methods of Photographing the Crime Scene?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

It is important to note that both photos and sketches are necessary in criminal investigations because photos may distort distance, color, and so on. The practice of crime-scene photography has been extended to digital recorders to depict crime scenes. Visual portrayal of the crime scene clearly adds a dimension to both the investigation and prosecution of the case that no other medium can emulate.
Photographs as Evidence
The principal requirements to admit a photograph into evidence are relevance and authentication. Specifically, the party seeking to introduce the photograph into evidence must be prepared to present testimony that the photograph is accurate and correct. A chain of custody is required, or the best evidence rule may be invoked if the photograph is offered for its truth and is the basis of a controlling issue in the case.
Preserving Digital Images
As a rule, digital images are stored on removable media such as Secure Digital (SD) cards and Memory Sticks. Images saved to these storage media must be stored immediately, or as soon as reasonable, on a compact disc (CD) or other protected medium to create the “master disc.”
What to Photograph
Extensive expertise in photography and audio electronics is always a clear benefit to a crime-scene investigator, but such training is not always required for good pictures of the scene. One important point to remember is that when photographing a crime scene, there can never be too many pictures.
Digital media are relatively inexpensive; most departments can afford to take numerous photographs. Photographs of the crime scene are usually taken in three stages: from the general view to the medium-range view to the close-up view.
General View: general photograph is a sweeping view of the crime- scene area (that is, an overall scene, such as the neighborhood, including angles from all streets leading up to the crime scene)
Medium-Range Views: these photos should be taken at a distance no greater than 20 feet away from the subject or item being photographed. The intent of the medium-range photo is to depict specific items or objects in the crime scene.
Close-Up Views: these photos are taken at a distance of less than 5 feet using the zoom feature on the digital camera, and they should focus on small segments of a larger surface or on specific objects in the scene.
Other Hints
It is important that all camera angles and settings be recorded on the crime-scene sketch. Photos of the interior scenes should be conducted to depict the entire area.
Considerations:
1. Approaches to and from the scene
2. Surrounding areas
3. Close-up photographs of the entrance and exit to the scene, or if these are not obvious, those most likely to have been used
4. A general scenario shot showing the location of the body and its position in relation to the room or area in which it was found
5. At least two photographs of the dead body at 90-degree angles to each other, with the camera placed as high as possible, pointing downward toward the body
Perspective
It is important that the crime-scene photographer show the relationship between one item of evidence and another. This is accomplished by showing the location of the articles in accordance with recognizable backgrounds.
Suitable Lighting
As a rule, the crime-scene photographer will find that natural light at the scene is inadequate for good-quality photos and that artificial lighting is required. Whether a flash or a more elaborate lighting system is used, it is of utmost importance to avoid unnecessary shadows.
Use of Markers
A generally accepted practice in crime-scene photography is the use of measuring or other identifying devices in photos. Markers such as these are included in the finished photograph and call attention to specific objects or enable the viewer of the photo to get a sense of the size of the object or the distance between objects. Because the use of a marker introduces something foreign into the crime scene, investigators should take a photo of the area before placement of the marker and then take a second photo of the same setting after the marker is in place.