NOTES IN FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO/PHOTOGRAPH - Anything taken by a

camera or a digital camera (mechanical and

Week 1 and 2
chemical)
Prepared and Compiled by: Honey Angelu M.
PICTURE - A drawing, painting, or artwork
Mirafuentes, RCrim
created.

POLICE PHOTOGRAPHY – police photography is

FORENSIC – came from the Latin word “forum” an art or science which deals with the study of
which means marketplace or public place. the principles of photography, the preparation
of photographic evidence and its application to
 Later on, the word forensic is associated police work.
with the word Legal
FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY – is the art or
Legal – the application of law to administer science of photographically documenting a
justice crime scene and evidence for laboratory
Law – a constitution or rule of men that every examination and analysis for purposes of court
member of a society has the obligation to follow trial.

PHOTOGRAPHY – The word PHOTOGRAPHY BASIC COMPONENTS OF PHOTOGRAPHY

was derived from two Greek word PHOS which LIGHT, INSTRUMENT, CHEMICALS
means LIGHT and GRAPHIA which means
WRITE. Therefore, PHOTOGRAPHY is best THE PRINCIPLES OF PHOTOGRAPHY
translated to WRITE WITH LIGHT
• A photograph is the mechanical and
Another etymology of photography are the chemical result of photography. To
words PHOS or PHOTOS which means LIGHT produce a photograph, light is needed
and the word GRAPHOS which means to DRAW aside from sensitized materials.

 Derived from two Greek words • Lights reflected or radiated by subject

phos/photos and graphia/graphos must reach the sensitized materials
 Phos/photos – light while all other lights must be excluded.
 Graphia/graphos – to write The exclusion of all unwanted and
 Photography – to write with light/ to unnecessary lights is achieved by
draw with light. placing the sensitized materials inside a
camera.
PHOTOGRAPHY – an art or science which deals
with the reproduction of images through the • The amount of light on the sensitized
action of LIGHT, upon SENSITIZED MATERIALS material after exposure is not
with the aid of CAMERA and its accessories, and immediately visible to the eyes. To
the chemical processes involved therein. make the formed images visible, it must
undergo the development process. The
IMAGE VS PHOTO VS PICTURE visual effect that results from the
IMAGE - any visual object modified or altered chemical processing is dependent on
by a computer or an imaginary object created the quantity and quality of the exposing
using a computer. (digital/electronic) light. Thus, more light will yield opaque
or black shade on the sensitized
 materials after development, too little chemical substances. He found out that
will produce a transparent or white light turned the color of a mixture of chalk,
shade. The varying shade of gray will silver and nitric acid from white to yellow
finally form the complete image
• the theory of JOHANN HEINRICH
HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF FORENSIC SCHULZE was verified after 52 YEARS
PHOTOGRAPHY with the use of silver chloride by a
Swedish chemist CARL W. SCHEELE. He
A. BASIC COMPONENTS OF
also found out that light from the violet
PHOTOGRAPHY
end of the spectrum darkened the silver
LIGHT – the days of creation. “in the chloride faster than light of other
beginning, God created the heavens and the spectral colors.
earth. Now the earth was formless and
HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF FORENSIC
empty, darkness was over the surface of the
PHOTOGRAPHY
deep, and the spirit of God was hovering
over the waters. And God said “LET THERE TRUE PHOTOGRAPHY
BE LIGHT” and there was light. God saw the
1839, LONDON – the birth year of photography
light was good and he separated light from
the darkness. God called the light “day” and WILLIAM HENRY FOX TALBOT – explained a
the darkness he called “night”. And there process he had invented (paper with silver
was evening and there was a morning- The chloride) this invention was known as the
first day (Genesis, chapter 1, verses 1-3) CALOTYPE at the Royal Society of London
INSTRUMENT • The Calotype later called as Talbotype
used paper with its surface fibers,
• about 1000 BC Alhazenlbn Al-Haitham,
imprinted with light sensitive
an Arab scholar recorded one of the
compounds.
earliest uses of “dark room” that later
called as CAMERA OBSCURA (a LOUIS JACQUES MANDE DAGUERRE –
darkened room with a small hole” made a public demonstration in Paris the
“DAGUERREOTYPE” in collaboration with
• Later on, the portable camera obscura
JOSEPH NICEPHORE NIEPCE
(Latin term for dark chamber) was used
by artist or painters to get accurate • The Daguerreotype formed an image
perspective of natural scene and scale directly on the silver of a metal plate.
of their subjects. With Talbot’s Talbotype/Calotype, the
fixation was only partial whule
CHEMICALS
Daguerre’s Daguerreotypes, images
• light sensitivity of silver nitrate and were made permanent with the use of
silver chloride solution was discovered hypo.
and investigated. In 1800 THOMAS
ABEL NIEPCE DE SAINT-VICTOR –
WEDGEWOOD and HUMPHEY DAVY
introduced a process of negative on
produced photogram.
glass using albumen (egg white) as
JOHANN HEINRICH SCHULZE (1727) – binding medium.
discovered that light changes the nature of
• This is also known as ALBUMIN PRINT
 LOUIS DESERIE BLANQUART-EVRARD – he identification of criminals and the documents of
introduced a printing paper coated with evidence and crime scenes.
albumen to achieve a glossy surface.
ALPHONSE BERTILLON (1882) – introduced and
FREDERICK SCOTT ARCHER – published a initiated the anthropometric measurement for
“wet plate” process when collodion-a personal identification. He was involved in
viscous liquid that dries to a tough flexible various means of documentation by
transparent film-replaced albumen. photography which developed into a fine
science for criminalistics when he photographed
- Images created using the collodion wet
crime scenes and formulated a technique of
plate process were sharp like the
contact photography to demonstrate erasure
daguerreotype, easily reproducible like
on documents.
the calotype, and enabled
photographers to dramatically reduce  Father of Anthropometry
exposure times  Father of Mugshot
 Father of Criminal Identification
- requires the photographic material to
be coated, sensitized, exposed, and 1890– full corrected lenses were introduced
developed within the span of about
fifteen minutes, 1906 – a plate was placed on the market that
could reproduce all colors in equivalent shades
1885 – Gelatin emulsion printing of gray
paper was commercially introduced
based on film in 1889 1907 – Lummiere color process was introduced,
a panchromatic film (general purpose film) was
RICHARD LEECH MADDOX (1854) – An used but with blue, green and red filter.
Englishman who developed dry plate
photography eclipsing Daguerre’s wet plate on VICTOR BALTAZARD – he developed a method
tin method. This made practical photography of of photographic comparison of bullets and
inmates for prison records cartridge case which act as an early foundation
of the field of ballistics.
JOHN F.W. HERSCHEL (1856) – coined the word
“PHOTOGRAPHY” he is also responsible for the 1914 – Eastman Kodak made a color subtractive
use of sodium thiosulfate as “fixer” called Kodachrome

1859 – In the United States, one of the earliest 1935 – color process came out together with
applied Forensic Science was in photography. It electronic flash
was used to demonstrate evidence in a EDWIN H. LAND – introduced “POLAROID” the
California case. Enlarged photographs of one-step photography
signature was presented in court case involving
forgery. 1988 – the arrival of true DIGITAL CAMERA

JAMES CLARK MAXWELL (1861) – researched ----------------- END OF WEEK 1 ------------------------

on colors

ODELBRECHT (1864) – first person who

advocated the use of photography for the
 PHOTOGRAPHIC RAYS, ITS NATURE AND it is the type of light in which their
CHARACTERISTICS wavelengths are capable of exciting the
retina of the human eye.
A. LIGHT
2. Invisible Light (also termed as "Ray")
Light is one of a number of known forms of
radio electromagnetic energy which travel lights in which their wavelengths are
in wave motion. either too short or too long to excite
the retina of the eye
• Actually, there are other theories that
explains the behavior of light (ex. Note: if the wavelength of the light is
Quantum theory) but for our purpose, either too short or too long compared
wave theory is the only one considered. to the 400-700 wavelengths of visible
This form of energy that travels at a light, it will be rendered as invisible
speed of about 186,000 miles per light.
second in air, but they differ in
NOTE: We only use 4 waves of the
wavelength and frequency. Wavelength
electromagnetic spectrum in
is the distance from the crest (highest
photography
point) to the wave to the next
succeeding crest while frequency is the Why is UV called UV and IR called IR?
number of waves passing in a given
point in one second. The product of the this is based on their location in the
two is the speed of travel. electromagnetic spectrum in relation to
the colors of the visible light
• The different energies in the
electromagnetic spectrum are the Ultraviolet can be seen or located after
following: Cosmic rays, Gamma rays, X- the violet color of the white light
rays, Ultraviolet rays, visible light, Infrared can be seen before the red
infrared rays, heat rays, Hertzian waves, color of the white light
and the alternating current oscillations.
Photographic Rays

Rays – invisible light

1. X-Ray (also known as Roentgen Rays)

 light with wavelengths between 1 to 30

millimicrons

 it is produced by passing of an electric

TYPES OF LIGHT current through a special type of
vacuum tube
Lights can largely be classified into visible and
invisible light  it was accidentally discovered by
CONRAD WILHELM ROENTGEN
1. Visible Light
 this type of light works in the principle
it is the type of light that produces different of shadow photography
sensation when it reaches the human eye.
 Uses of X-Ray 3. Transmitted Light Examination - light comes
from the back or bottom
• Internal Photography (shadow method)
• used in examination of watermarks,
• Examination of fracture (associated to
fiber arrangement and sequence of
bone continuity)
strokes
• Dislocation (problems with joints)
4. Infra-red (Before the Red)
• Hemorrhage
 also known as "heat rays" because it
• Presence of foreign object inside the can be detected through heat
body
 considered as the photographic rays
2. Ultra-violet Ray (after the violet) with the longest wavelength ranging
from 700 to 1000 millimicrons
 radiation having a wavelength of 30 to
400 nanometers  it is designed to take photograph of
over-written documents, obliterated
 designed to photograph fingerprints in writing and charred documents or for
multi colored background, documents black out photography
that are altered, decipherment of
erased writing (mechanical erasure Sources of Light in Photography

 and developing of invisible writing a. Natural Light - are those lights which come to
existence without the intervention of man i.e.
3. Visible Light (white light) Sunlight (often used in outdoor photography)
 the type of radiation having a 1. Bright Sunlight - object in an open space
wavelength of 400 to 700 millimicrons casts a deep and uniform shadow and the
designed for ordinary photographing object appears glossy.
purposes
2. Hazy Sunlight - object in an open space casts
Different Application of Visible Light a transparent or bluish shadow. This is due to
1. Direct Light Examination - designed to thin clouds that cover the sun
provide support light in photographing 3. Dull Sunlight - object in an open space casts
2. Side Light Examination (Indirect Light) no shadow due to thick clouds covering the sun
• used in detecting erasure (mechanical b. Artificial Light (man-made light)
erasure)
 it is otherwise known as man-made
• Oblique/Sidelight Light Examination - light
light that comes from one side at a very
low angle used in erasure and indented e.g. fluorescent bulb, incandescent bulb and
writing photoflood lamp, ultraviolet lamp and infrared
lamp.
• the use of low angle oblique light and
photography is a simple method of Classification of Artificial Light
analyzing indented writing.
1. Continuous Duration - artificial lights
that illuminate the subject continually.
 They don't flash on and off while you • with the use of electronic flash, subject
take snapshots; instead, they stay lit up in fast motion can be arrested or
the entire time. Technically, we are stopped in the photograph.
constantly exposed to continuous
FORENSIC LIGHT SOURCES
illumination. It is used in homes, shops,
streetlights, and other places. 1. Ultraviolet lamp
2. Short Duration - artificial lights that Ultraviolet lamps used in forensic work
illuminate the subject in short duration. come in variety of shape, sizes, and
They flash on and off while you take power. Some units are portable battery
snapshots. operated and easily carried and can
meet the rugged and rigorous demand
Continuous Duration
for field work.
1. Photoflood Lamp - is likewise known as
The medium wave UV is often used in
Reflectorized light or Spot Light
chemical analysis and in curing and
2. Fluorescent Lamp - are tube lamps in which hardening of different items for
the walls are coated with fluorescent powders industrial applications. The short wave
with both ends mounted with a holder that UV is used for variety purpose such as
serves as the reflector to sterilize air and place of work. It is an
effective germicide, destroying many
• this is commonly used by everybody in
biological contaminants.
their households more than it is used in
photography 2. LASER - Light Amplification and
Stimulation in the Emission of Radiation
3. Incandescent Bulb - are bulb with a wire
Although developed years earlier it was
filament connecting two wires which sustain the
in 1970's that it was illuminating certain
electrical charge that produces the light.
items with LASER, they would fluoresce
• everybody likewise commonly uses this or could be made to stand discovered
although it is more expensive in terms that by out in sharp contrast from their
of electrical consumption background. This was especially
significant in locating dried biological
Note: this has already been phased out stains such as semen, urine and saliva,
Short Duration as well as stains that had been washed.
The LASER stimulation of these items
1. Flash Bulb - are chemical lamps, as it provided a way for criminalist to finally
generates lights by the rapid combination of see, locate, and visually record evidence
metal in oxygen that they know that they had been
• the bulb can be used only once as the missing. The only drawback of LASER is
bulb is busted when fired electrically their cost, they are quite expensive.
LAZER is also known as coherent light.
2. Electronic Flash - produces light by an
instantaneous electrical in charges between two 3. Alternative Light Source (ALS)
electrodes in a gas filled glass bulbs The Alternative Light Sources was
developed in mind 1980's as a far more
 inexpensive alternative to forensic produce a cyan color, the green and red lights a
LASER. The ALS uses a variety of band yellow color, and the red and blue lights a
pass filters to provide high intensity magenta color. At the center where the blue,
beam of non-coherent light. These green and red lights were combined in proper
multiple band pass filters allows the ratio, we see white light. In this aspect, cyan,
operator to match the LASER frequency yellow, and magenta are known as the three
available at crime scene. Additional secondary colors. Black is the absence of all
wavelength ware included to allow the colors or the absence of light.
ALS to operate in the UV, near UV, and
IR spectrum. ALS technology had
advanced to a point whereby using the
combination to filter and an adjustable
iris control the width of the
transmission band, various wavelength
from the UV to IR may be digitally
selected. This allows the operator to
scan an almost endless variety of
wavelength instead of being restricted
to the specific band pass filter
capabilities.

A forensic light source (FLS) is a crime scene

Subtractive Color Mixture
investigator’s and lab technician’s tool for
enhancing observation, photography and This time, the light beams of the three
collection of evidence including latent projectors will be covered each with cyan filter,
fingerprints, body fluids, hair and fibers, bruises, yellow filter, and magenta filter and have the
bite marks, wound patterns, shoe and foot beams of light projected one over the other.
imprints, gun shot residues, drug traces, The cyan filter will transmit blue and green light
questioned documents, bone fragment but absorbs red from white light. A yellow filter
detection, etc. It provides more sensitivity than will transmit green and red light but absorbs
traditional methods thus increasing the amount blue from white light. Similarly, a magenta filter
of evidence uncovered and the quality of the will transmit red and blue light but absorbs
evidence photographed and collected. green from white light. At the center where the
three beams of light are merged together will
Alternate light source (ALS): a tool used to help
produce black. In simple terms, cyan is the
visualize evidence that is not apparent to the
complementary of red, yellow is the
naked eye.

Production of Colors

Additive Color Mixture

If we get three projectors with beams of lights

projecting individually blue, green and red and
have the three beams overlap over the other,
we will note that the portion where the blue
and green lights merged over the other, it will
complementary of blue, and magenta is the The color of the blue sky is due to the scattering
complementary of green. of light by the atmosphere. Variation in the
density of the atmospheric gases act in such a
Production of Colors
way that they scatter light of the shorter
There are a number of different ways in which wavelength at the blue end of the spectrum
color is produced. One needs to know the

variable quantities of colors so it will be possible much more they scatter light of the longer
to evaluate color as quality. wavelength of the red end of the spectrum.
Thus the sky is bluest when it is clearest and
white when it is less clear.
1. Absorption 3. Interference

Color can also be produced by interference of

light waves in thin film like a in soap bubbles or
a film of oil floating in water. The light reflected
from the top surface of such a film undergoes a
reversal or phase but the reflected from the
bottom surface does not undergo this type of

The colors of most ordinary objects are due to change. This phenomenon is also responsible
the fact they do not absorb the same amount of for the color pattern known as "Newton's ring'
light at each wavelength. which sometimes causes trouble in color
printing work.

4. Fluorescence
2. Scattering
 characteristic, any one of which can be varied
independently of the other two. These are hue,
saturation, and brightness

This happens when molecules of the fluorescent

material absorb energy at one wavelength and HUE - a gradation or variety of a color.
radiate it at another wavelength. SATURATION - complete infiltration of color

BRIGHTNESS - how much light appears to shine

from something; the quality or state of giving
out or reflecting light.
5. Dispersion

Color may arise from the differences in the

refractive or bending power of a transparent Bending of Light (behavior of light)
medium of light of different wavelength. The
rainbow is a good example of this phenomenon.

Attributes of Color

According to the modern scientific definition of

color, it is not legitimate to ascribe color to an
object but only to the light reflected from it.
 When travelling in open space, light
travels in straight line. However, when
light comes in contact with an open
object, it may be bended in the
following manners:

Reflection - is the deflection or bouncing

back of light when it hits a surface.

Thus any color perception has three

a. Regular or Specular Reflection - b. Irregular or Diffused Reflection - occurs
happens when light hits a flat, smooth when light hits a rough or uneven but
glossy object.

2. Refraction - the bending of light when

passing from one medium to another.

3. Diffraction - the bending of light when it hits

and shiny surface. a sharp edge of an opaque object.

Kinds of object as to how they behave to light

1. Transparent objects - allow sufficient

visible light to pass through them that
the object on the other side may be
clearly seen.
2. Translucent objects - allows light to
pass, however diffuse it sufficiently that
objects on the other side may not be

clearly distinguished. In some cases, the

objects on the other side may be
recognizable but sharp detail and
outline is obscured.
 3. Opaque objects - so greatly diffuse the
light that recognizing the object on the
other side is very difficult if not
impossible.

------------------- END OF WEEK 2 ---------------------