Forensic Photography

Forensic Photography By Audrey Nelson

Education Forensic Photographers get into the field the same way any forensic specialist would. • Most organizations seek those with bachelor's degrees, • Training and certification programs only take about two years to complete and give graduates the opportunity for a career in forensic science. • A degree or background in Criminal Justice or Law Enforcement is most suitable. • There are various courses that must be taken to qualify as a forensic science technician. Some important courses include chemistry, computers and electronics, law and government, public safety, mathematics, writing and communications. • Additional skills include inductive reasoning, information ordering, critical thinking and the ability to identify patterns and details.

Evidence The photographs are evidence. A forensic photographer will capture anything and everything at the scene. You never know what will be important to solving the crime, so on-scene photographers will photograph everything at multiple angles and distances.

Techniques Close-up Photography: Many lighting techniques are used to capture the clearest interpretation of the evidence Front Directional or Axis Lighting Direct Reflective Lighting Bounce Lighting Oblique Lighting Transmitted Lighting Direct Lighting Diffused Lighting

Techniques “Flash Fill - In scenes illuminated by bright sunlight there will usually be dark shadow areas. Detail in the deep shadow areas will be lost when the exposure is based on the overall brightness of the scene. With the use of flash fill, the brightness level in the shadow areas can be raised to the overall brightness of the scene.” Not Filled Filled

Techniques Bloodstain Photography The best way to capture bloodstains is with a video camera. This medium is easier to relate to. But photographs are essential because they can show close-ups, actual size and placement in relation to the scene.

Techniques “Painting with Light” Night Photography When you are outside in the dark, your eyes slowly adapt, allowing you to see clearer and clearer. A camera sees what you would see if you blinked. You’d need: - a camera with adjustable shutter speeds and a “B” (bulb) setting. This allows the shutter to stay open infinitely so the most light can hit the film/chip. - a tripod: a stand to put the camera on, so it doesn’t move while capturing the exposure. If it moves, the result is blurry. - a powerful external flash. Example, 150 ft. of skid marks from a car accident can’t be seen with a built in flash.

Techniques Ultraviolet Photography Used For: - Fingerprints on multicolored surfaces, dusted with fluorescent powder or ninhydrin - Body secretions such as urine, semen, and perspiration glow when illuminated by ultraviolet light - Money and other valuables can be dusted or marked to identity thieves

Katie Culpepper Full time Forensic Photographer for Forensic Medical. Has an Art Degree but later found an internship from a friend, and forensic pathologist. On a day to day basis: She photographs autopsies and off-scene evidence and therefore looks at “what could be suspicious.” All evidence is photographed before an evidence technician can catalogue it. She also downloads digital x-rays for police agencies to be recorded as evidence. The investigation agency acquires the photographs as evidence. Tennessee courts often won’t allow the photos to be displayed in court because they are too graphic for the jury She photographs most homicide/suicide cases in Davidson County and some cases in all parts of Tennessee

Ted Bundy Case “The analysis of the bite marks on Lisa Levy's body was only possible because of the actions of a quick thinking crime scene investigator who took pictures at the scene. The investigator had the forethought to include a ruler in the photo to show scale. The existence of this photograph was pivotal in convicting Bundy. Without the photograph he may have been acquitted. The bite mark had been incised from the buttock for analysis but had degraded and was no longer useful as evidence by the time of the trial (from www.crimelibrary.com). The only evidence of the original size and shape of the bite mark was the photograph taken at the scene.”

Sources Katie Culpepper, Forensic Medical http://www.all-about-forensic-science.com/famous-forensic-cases.html http://www.skillset.org/photo/careers/photographers/article_3424_1.asp http://www.westchestergov.com/labsresearch/ForensicandTox/forensic/photo/forphotoframeset.htm http://www.crimeandclues.com/bite_mark.htm

Forensic Photography