Forensic Photography

Review Session
TOPIC
• Process photographic exhibits i.e. fingerprint, ballistic,
questioned documents, etc.
• Examine the legal aspects of photographic evidence, write
forensic findings in a format generally accepted by the scientific
community and in a language clear to the court of law
 CRIME SCENE PHOTOGRAPHY
• Many valuable articles of evidence can be found at the crime
scene. Each object can be photographed individually and in
relation to other objects at the scene.
1. Tools 3. Contraband
2. Clothing 4. Weapon
• A photograph should be taken at the scene of any piece of
evidence that might deteriorate, change over time, or any
evidence that cannot be moved from the scene or that might be
damaged by handling.
 Purpose of Photographing Physical Evidence
• A permanent record is made of the original appearance of the
object.
• The photographs can be used in place of physical evidence to
supplement the case report.
• Each article is preserved from necessary handling which might
cause the evidence to determine or otherwise become altered.
BASIC IMPORTANCE OF CSP
• Refresh memory
• Preserve time and event
• Save money and effort
Objectives of CSP
• To produce a pictorial record of everything regarding the crime
• To help in keeping the police officer’s memory accurately as
possible as to where he find things
• To help in securing or obtaining confession, description and
information to the case.
 PROCEDURE OF TAKING
PHOTOGRAPHS AT THE CRIME SCENE
• GENERAL VIEW or Long Range View – this is used to established
the overall scene of the crime scene.
• MEDIUM VIEW or Mid Range View – this is used to divide the
scene into sections, the best view to show the nature of crime.
Also used in identifying the proper location of evidence gathered
within.
• CLOSE-UP SHOT – used to emphasize the details of the crime
scene and different physical evidence found in the crime scene.
• EXTREME CLOSE-UP SHOT – used in emphasizing and showing
the details in every piece of evidence that requires magnification.
Items of Physical Evidence to be
Photographed
• Objects that serve to establish the fact that a crime has been
committed.
• Evidence relating to the manner in which the crime was committed.
• Objects that might provide a clue to the identity of the perpetrator.
• Clues that would connect a suspect to the crime.
• Anything that has any bearing on the crime such as blood splashes,
signs of struggle or any indication of drinking or drugs.
• Fingerprints found at the crime scene
What are the kinds of photographs to be taken
at the scene of the crime?
• Over-all Photographs
• Photographs of the Deceased
• Photographs of Articles of Evidence
• Special Techniques
• Photograph of the environs
• Photograph of the body after removal
• Photographing the body after removal for identification of the
victim
• Close-up pictures of the wounds
Guidelines in Taking Photograph at the Crime
Scene
1. Establish Shot
2. The building
3. The Entrance
4. The Hallway
5. The Room
6. Close Up
• Object Attacked
• The Weapon or Tools Used and
• Significant Clues
PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE
• The principal requirements to admit a photograph (digital or
film-based) into evidence are relevance and authentication.
• Unless the photograph is admitted by the stipulation of both
parties, the party attempting to admit the photograph into
evidence must be prepared to offer testimony that the
photograph is an accurate representation of the scene. This
usually means someone must testify that the photograph
accurately portrays the scene as viewed by that witness.
Disposition or Safekeeping of Photographic
Evidence
• Negative and Photographs should be placed in plastic holder
and put same inside a white mailing envelope with proper case
identification such as case number, time and date before filing
in a steel cabinet.
Issuance or Release of Photographic evidence
• A written request addressed to the Director, Crime Laboratory is
required from investigating units having jurisdiction over the
case prior release or issuance of photographic evidence.
• Upon receipt of the approved request, photographs should be
released within a minimum period of one day. Likewise,
requests for court presentation should be attended without
delay. Crime Scene photographer subpoenaed by Court should
be personally print the negatives as soon as possible and
prepare the materials for court presentation.
THE BEST EVIDENCE RULE AND
PHOTOGRAPH
• Photograph is not a legal substitute for the object or article itself, as
evidence. Nevertheless, all physical evidence should be
photographed. A photograph of revolver will not be accepted as
evidence in court. The weapon itself must be brought to court – this
is an essence of.
• The court recognizes that certain evidence cannot be brought to
court. Buildings or roads are examples. Other evidence changes
quickly. Vehicles using and passing on it will quickly destroy skid
marks on the highway. Wounds and bruises as evidence of injury will
heal and disappear before the case comes to trial. Such nature or
kind of evidence can be preserved by photography and introduced in
court as evidence.
 Requirement of a Photograph Admitted as
Evidence In Court
Basic Other factors to consider
• Accurate Representations • Free of Distortion
• Material and Relevant • Unbiased
• Authenticity

Note: The requirement on the law on “accuracy” is not mathematical but substantive.
WHO MAY VERIFY PHOTOGRAPH
1. The better practice is to show the accuracy of the
photographs by the photographer who took them.
2. Any person having sufficient knowledge to say that the
photograph is a faithful presentation thereof.
Points of Objection on the Admissibility of a
Photograph
• Accuracy of Color
• Alterations on negatives or on prints
• Computer generated image
• Enlargements
• Errors in printing
• Equipment
• Lighting
Taking Photographs of Specific Crime Scene

1. Suicide by hanging
2. Suicide by Shooting
3. Homicide Case
4. Robbery Case
5. Sex Offenses
6. Arson
7. Road/Traffic accidents
8. Mug Shot Photography
Presentation and Preparation of Photographic
Evidence
Overview
• Several types of evidence are commonly found at crime scenes.
Each item of evidence must be documented photographically,
showing its location and appearance.
• This provides more specialized techniques for photographing
evidence commonly found at crime scenes.
Markings/Impressions
• Footwear and tire impressions are perhaps the most overlooked
evidence at a crime scene. Impression evidence can be
collected by casting and with photography.
• At major crime scenes impressions should be photographed
before they are casted.
• At minor crime scenes impressions are usually photographed
without casting. If the impression is properly photographed
positive identification linking a suspect or vehicle to the crime is
possible.
• When taking photographs of footwear or tire impressions begin
with a photograph to show where the impression is located in the
crime scene.
• It is important to include a recognizable landmark in the
photograph so the location of the impression is understood. If the
impression is near a landmark, a mid–range photograph probably
would be adequate to show the location of the impression.
• If the impression is farther away from a recognizable landmark,
additional photographs would be necessary.
• Place the scale approximately one inch away from
the impression and on the same plane as the impression.
Lighting techniques in impressions/markings
• The most effective way to insure you are using the best angles
of lighting is “preview the photograph” by looking at lighting from
several different angles.
• With cardboard – use of lighting must placed at different angles
while the other one is holding a cardboard
• Dusty Impression - type of footwear impression is best
photographed with light from a low oblique angle.
• Tire mark impression - tire impression is similar to
photographing footwear impressions. However, you must
photograph tire impressions in enough sections to show one
circumference of the tire.
• Tool mark - the best way to light tool marks is with oblique
lighting. Oblique lighting will reduce reflections and show
greater detail by creating small shadows within the tool
marks.
Fingerprints
• Fingerprints should be photographed before they are collected
on major cases or if the latent may be destroyed when lifting.
• When photographing with a digital camera all photographs
should be taken in color mode. Even if the finished photograph
would be better in black–and–white it should still be taken in
color when using a digital camera.
• When photographing evidence containing fine detail with a
digital camera it is highly recommended the images be captured
as RAW files.
Photographing Specific Types of
Fingerprint Subjects
• Dusted fingerprints with good visible detail can usually be
photographed without special lighting techniques.
• Fingerprints on porous surfaces (textured wall coverings,
wood, brick, etc.) may need almost a 90–degree lighting
angle to avoid the creation of shadows in the surface’s
texture, which would interfere with the recording of
fingerprint detail.
• Fingerprints on glass (windows, drinking glasses, etc.) can be
photographed by placing a white card behind the glass and
using a low oblique angle of light. They can also be
photographed by using transmitted (back) lighting by
positioning a diffused light source behind the glass.
• Fingerprint impressions in soft substances (e.g., wax, putty,
clay, adhesive tape, grease, or dust) require the use of
oblique lighting at a low angle.
Firearm photography
• The location and condition of firearms and related evidence at a
crime scene should be diagramed and photographed before
recovering and securing.
• When bullets have passed through garments into the body, a
clear photograph of the bullet hole positions in the victim is
desirable.
• Include a ruler/scale in all photographs.
Bullet Path Photography
• The suspected path of a bullet can be illustrated with a
variety of techniques.
• Colored strings can be strung to illustrate bullet paths.
• Reflective string can also be used—the string will glow when
a flash photograph is taken.
• Fiberglass rods or wooden dowels can also be used,
especially to show how a bullet passed through an object or
wall.
• Another technique for photographing the suspected path of
a bullet is to use a laser beam.
BLOODSTAIN PHOTOGRAPHY
• The photographer sets up his camera to photograph the floor
area where a void pattern is located.
• First photograph shows the void pattern on the floor.
• The photographer positions the electronic flash where it is
believed the victim’s head was located.
• Second photograph shows a shadow matching the void pattern
due to the position of the flash.
Lighting techniques in bloodstain
• Proper lighting will show the detail of the bloodstain patterns
and evidence.
• Do not attempt to photograph bloodstain with an electronic
flash positioned on the camera. If you do, you will normally get
reflection from the surface you are photographing.
• The best way to light bloodstain is with oblique lighting. Oblique
lighting will reduce reflections and show greater detail in the
evidence.
• Use a low grazing light angles when dealing with bloodstain on
fabrics.
 Purposes of Photographs in Questioned
Documents.
• It serve as a record of the initial condition of a disputed
document.
• Make clear what otherwise may be hidden or indistinct.
• Enlarge a writing in question so that every quality and
characteristics of it can be clearly and properly interpreted
whether the facts so shown point to genuineness or to forgery
• Enable any number of accurate reproductions of document,
thus affording unlimited opportunity for study, comparison and
evaluation by any number of examiners, which would not
possible by using document alone.
• Allow cutting apart as may be desired and the various parts classified for
comparisons
• Can show delicate discolorations due to chemical erasures or other fraudulent
changes which may otherwise overlooked or misinterpreted
• Can show very clearly any erasures by abrasions made by ordinary rubber
eraser and it can record in permanent form with the paper placed obliquely to
the plane of the lens and plate inclined at just right angle of reflection so as to
show differences in the reflected light from different portions of the paper
surface
• With transmitted light, photographs is useful in:
a. Examination of watermarks
b. Determining the identity, or the differences in paper by showing arrangement of the
fibers and the markings of the wire gauze and dandy roll
c. Showing the continuity of strokes and
d. Determining retouching or patching of a writing by showing clearly the presence of
added ink film and the uneven distribution of ink in interrupted strokes.
Miscellaneous examinations
1. Erasures
a. Physical inspection by using ultraviolet light, light striking the surface at
a sharp angle and observation under the microscope.
b. Fuming with iodine
2. Indented writing
1. Physical methods maybe used by passing a strong beam of nearly
parallel light almost horizontally the document maybe of values in some
cases.
2. Fuming the document
3. Powders of various kinds maybe used without changing the document.
3. Burned/Charred paper
Techniques for Demonstrating Evidence
Prints
1. Composite Exhibits
• this consist of two
photographs placed
side by side to show
points of similarities or
differences. This is
generally used in the
comparison of
fingerprint or
handwriting.
2. Matching photographs
• this is another technique of
illustrating similarities.
Place a part of one
photograph over and in
careful alignment with the
other. Used in toolmarks,
shells, pair illustrations or
in matching glass
fragments or paint chips.
3. Matching Transparencies
• this is used to show objects have identical outlines. A positive
transparency of one is placed over the other, adjusted so the
outline coincides, like in proving traced forgery.
 Legal Foundation of Digital Photography
• Rules on Electronic Evidence
• Acting on the memorandum dated June 18, 2001 of the
committee on the Revision of rules of court to draft on the E-
Commerce Law (R.A 8792) the Supreme Court, En Banc,
approved the said resolution.
 What are the Guidelines for ensuring your
digital photographs are admissible?
1. Develop a Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), department
policy or general order on the use of digital imaging. The SOP
should include when digital imaging is used, chain of custody,
image security, image enhancement, and release and
availability of digital images. The SOP should not apply just to
digital but should also include film-based and video
applications a well.
2. Most importantly, preserve the original image. This can be
done a variety of ways including saving the image file at a
hard drive or recording the image file to a CD. Some agencies
elect to use image security software.
 What are the Guidelines for ensuring your
digital photographs are admissible?
3. Digital images should be preserved in their original file formats. The
saving of a file in some file formats subject the image to lossy compression.
If lossy compression is used, critical image information may be lost and
artifacts introduced as a result of the compression process.
4. If the images are stored on a computer workstation or server and several
images would have access to image files, make the files read-only for all but
your evidence or photo lab staff. As an example, detectives could view any
images files but they would have rights to delete or overwrite those files.
5. If an image is to be analyzed or enhanced, the new images files created
should be saved as new file names. The original file must not be replaced
(overwritten) with a new file.
Absolute Basics of Digital Photography
• The absolute basics of digital photography, are as follows:
1. Stop Shaking the Camera
2. Remember to Reset the Camera Settings.
3. Keep the Batteries Charged
4. Know the Difference Between JPEG and RAW. JPEG files are
ideal for situations where the forensic photographer want to
print or share the shots right away.
5. Use the Zoom Wisely
6. Experiment with the Point of View.
The most formidable opponent is the
one in the mirror.
Beat the best of yourself.