Crime Scene Photography Exam 3

UCO Crime Scene Photography Exam 3 Spring 2025

What is the purpose of flash photography in crime scenes?

Overcoming insufficient ambient light and dark shadows

What should the beginning settings be on your camera for flash photography?

• 1/60

• ISO 400

• F8

What is a guide number in electronic flash devices?

A number describing how much light the flash is capable of casting into the scene

On the Nikon SB 5000, what is considered a large guide number?

34 (ISO 100)

What is sync speed in electronic flash devices?

The shutter speed that has the shutter completely open when the flash fires; the entire scene receives light

On the Nikon SB 5000, what is the default sync speed?

1/60

What does TTL mean in electronic flash devices?

Through the lens metering

What does BL mean in electronic flash devices?

Balanced lighting

In what mode does the camera control the flash output?

Auto mode

What is the Nikon SB 5000?

A dedicated flash unit

What is the definition of a dedicated flash unit?

A flash unit controlled by the light meter in the camera body

How does a dedicated flash unit determine the flash power?

Through the exposure variables and the light meter

How does the flash control the amount of light cast onto the scene?

Cutting the flash duration short when less light is needed

What does shorter flash durations result in?

Less light and less energy used to properly expose the scene

What does shorter flash durations allow for?

Faster recycle time and longer battery

What is flash recycle time?

The time it takes the flash after the exposure to power up and be ready to fire again

What determines the flash recycle time?

The more energy used, the longer the recycle time

What is the ready light?

A button that lights up when the flash is ready for the next photo

When in crime scene photography is a dedicated flash unit recommended?

For most flash photography situations

When should the built-in flash be relied on?

Never

Why should you not rely on the built-in flash?

The guide number is 35 and the position of it is fixed.

What do dedicated flash units tend to do to reflective surfaces?

It tends to underexpose them

What are ways to increase/decrease light for bracketing?

• Using exposure compensation controls

• Move camera back/use sync cord

• Deploy built-in diffuser

• Deploy built-in bounce card

• Bounce light off of a wall, ceiling, or deflector

What does a sync cord provide for crime scene flash photography?

Flexibility to reposition the flash as needed for oblique lighting and hard to reach places

What does a sync cord allow the dedicated flash unit to do?

Continuation in communication with the camera, just as if it was attached on top

What does the diffuser do?

Reduces the power of the flash by diffusing the amount of light that is produced

What does the bounce card do?

Reduces the power of flash by redirecting the light produced

What does bouncing the flash do? (not a bounce card)

Reduces the power of the flash produced by bouncing it off of walls, ceilings, or reflectors

What does the zoom button on the flash device allow?

Directing the flash towards a direct point beyond the maximum focal point of a lens

What can the Nikon SB 5000 override flash zoom to?

200mm

How does the zoom function on the flash work?

It narrows the field of the flash, concentrating more light on an area further away

When do you use fill flash?

• Lighting conditions that have bright sunlit areas and dark shadows

• Backlit scenes

When using fill flash, what part of the photo does the camera meter on?

The brightest part of the photo

What does fill flash ensure in a photograph?

Both parts (sunlit and shadow areas) of a scene are properly exposed

What should the ISO bet set on when using fill flash in manual mode?

ISO 100

How do you meter the bright part of a scene?

Filling the frame with the bright part of the scene

Where should you aim the flash when using fill flash?

At the area it is most needed

What is the primary method for even lighting during the day?

Fill flash

How should you photograph small items of evidence in extreme light conditions?

Create shade over the entire object and use a dedicated flash unit

What is the rule for using dedicated flash units outside?

It is only good for half the distance it says it is good for (says it is good for 30’, only good for 15’ outside)

What are flash units primarily made for?

Indoor scenes, as there is area for the light to bounce off of

What is the biggest problem with outdoor photography?

People do not use fill flash when it is very sunny outside

When is fill flash absolutely necessary?

When it is very sunny out and the sun is casting harsh shadows

When should you use a sync cord?

when you need the flexibility to provide a different position to the flash, like for oblique lighting or hard to reach places.

What is oblique lighting?

Side lighting used to light three dimensional textures and patterns of evidence

What are some of the main tools that can be used to create oblique lighting?

• Flash unit

• Flashlight

How does oblique lighting highlight the 3D aspects of evidence?

Creates shadows on the lower levels of the evidence

What should be done if hard shadows result in using oblique lighting?

A reflector should be used to soften them

What are the starting settings for photographing shoe prints?

ISO 100 and f/11

What angle should the flash start at for photographing show prints?

Approximately 45 degrees

Where you should you take photos from when photographing shoe prints?

All four sides of the shoe

What problems do snow shoe prints create?

Over exposure and washing out oblique light

What problems does sand shoe prints create?

It is reflective and causes washing out of lighting and over exposure, like snow.

What should be placed on shoe prints made in snow or sand before photographs are taken?

Snow wax or snow powder

What length of tire tracks should typically be documented in photos?

No more than 7.5 feet

How should tire tracks be broken down for photography?

5 × 1.5 feet segments

How much of the sections should overlap in each photograph?

Approximately 1 inch

What tool is preferred for light over shallow bite marks?

A flashlight

Why is a flashlight preferred for shallow bite marks?

The angle of the light is critical and the flashlight allows you to see the angle prior to taking the photograph

What can cause problems in bite marks?

The curvature of the skin

What is the sequence of photos that should be taken of a bite mark?

• Bite overall, including both arches

• Each arch individually

Where should indented writing be photographed for better documentation? (after collection from the scene; in the lab)

On the floor on a clean piece of paper

How should the flashlight be aimed for photographing indented writing?

Six feet away, aimed diagonally from the corner almost parallel to the floor

What is painting with light?

When a person or persons is circling the crime scene firing a hand held flashlight to paint the scene with light

What shutter speed should the camera be on for painting with light?

BULB

Where should the tripod be when painting with light?

Twenty-one feet away from the nearest item of evidence and at eye level

What is the definition of MACROphotography?

Photography that allows you to see fine details of an object

What is the definition of MICROphotography?

Photography that magnifies objects to the microscopic level, using specialized equipment

What are macro lenses used to identify?

• Tool marks

• Fibers

• Hairs

• Latent prints

What does the magnification of a macro lens equate to?

A fingerprint or a nickel centered on a 35mm negative

What are the focusing options on a macro lens?

Manual (M) and Autofocus with manual override (M/A)

What should be used to fine tune focusing with macro lenses in auto focus with manual override?

Focus ring

What does fine tuning the focus on a macro lens do?

Pinpoint the primary area of concern and optimize DOF

Why does the camera have to be held super still during macrophotography?

The narrow DOF

What is used for lighting in macrophotography?

Ring light

What are the two settings on a ring light for macro photography?

Flash and Light