ADMJ 1100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Trace Evidence, Gunshot Residue, Forward Looking Infrared
29 May 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
CSI
Chapter 3 Lecture Slides
Crime Scene Photography
Objectives of Crime Scene Photography
1. Record the condition of the scene before alterations occur
2. Record the location and position of evidence items collected
3. Document the point of view of principals and potential witnesses
4. Document spatial relationships of pertinent items
It is an essential supplement to other modes of crime scene documentation but is not a
substitute for notes and sketches
Purpose: accurately capture images of crime scene and evidence
- Do not elicit emotion from viewer (can be excluded by a judge if he finds it too
emotional or disturbing)
- Important role in reconstructing events of the crime
- Photographs of physical evidence can be used in court when the actual evidence cannot
be there
Advantages:
- Can be taken immediately (good for bad weather or when many people are present)
- Can accurately represent the crime scene
- The create interest and increase attention to testimony in court
Disadvantages:
- Includes all details of the scene (both relevant and irrelevant which can be distracting)
- Does not show actual distances
- May not pick up on small details (i.e. fingerprint outlines)
- May be distorted or damaged by errors in shooting or processing
Single lens Reflex (SLR) Camera
- Standard, well-suited for crime scene photos
- Automatic focus, flash, variety of lenses
Digital Single Lens (DSLR) Camera
- Introduced by the mid-1990s
- By 2009 all 50 state crime labs had converted to digital technology
Advantages of Digital Cameras:
- Immediately see if photo taken is successful
- Images can be stored on a computer
- Investigator can send photos over the internet
- Ability to illustrate the image of TV in the courtroom
- Easy to prepare copies
Disadvantages:
- Images can be manipulated (used Photoshop)
Videotaping the Crime Scene (required by some agencies)
- Provides like-like view to the viewer
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
It is an essential supplement to other modes of crime scene documentation but is not a substitute for notes and sketches. Purpose: accurately capture images of crime scene and evidence. Do not elicit emotion from viewer (can be excluded by a judge if he finds it too emotional or disturbing) Important role in reconstructing events of the crime. Photographs of physical evidence can be used in court when the actual evidence cannot be there. Can be taken immediately (good for bad weather or when many people are present) The create interest and increase attention to testimony in court. Includes all details of the scene (both relevant and irrelevant which can be distracting) May not pick up on small details (i. e. fingerprint outlines) May be distorted or damaged by errors in shooting or processing. By 2009 all 50 state crime labs had converted to digital technology. Ability to illustrate the image of tv in the courtroom.
