Chapter 3- Outline

What should always be the first image?

the photo identifier

What should be included on the photo identifier?

case number, address/location, date/time, photographer’s name

The photo identifier allows every image to be associated back to a ___ and ___

specific photographer, crime scene

What is the Rule of Thumb associated with the photo identifier?

Anytime one of the variables on the photo identifier changes, photograph a new photo identifier.

What is the photo memo sheet?

A form to log all the specific data related to the camera, lens, flash, and specific variables used to capture each individual image

What are the two reasons to keep a photo memo sheet?

refresh the memory of the photographer later on

learn from past mistakes

Do many agencies still use a photo memo sheet?

No because digital photos save the metadata.

What allows images to the self-documenting?

labeled scale

What is the Rule of Thumb in reference to the labeled scale?

Whenever scales are used, they must be positioned on the same plane as the evidence

Why does the scale need to be on the same plane as the evidence?

enables the correct size to be determined

will be blurry if not on the same plane because DOF is reduced for close-ups

Should props be in your image?

No

What does “in situ” mean?

in place

The entire scene must be photographed __ before any movement

in situ

What is the exception to documenting the entire scene in situ?

If evidence has innate value or if it is a possible threat, it should be collected immediately

What is the goal of exterior overall photographs?

to link the crime scene to its general surroundings

How should exterior overall photographs be taken?

from the natural perspective

What specific photos should exterior overall photographs include?

street sign, shot from sign towards the crime scene, entire exterior of the crime scene/buildings, building number or name

What is a “normal” lens length?

50mm

What does a “normal” lens mean?

It takes an image the way you would see the scene with your own eyes

__ lenses capture a wider view of the scene

wide angle

What is the weakness of a wide angle lens and how do you fix it?

It elongates the scene. You must crop out the foreground

__ lenses magnify distant details by compressing the scene

telephoto

What is the weakness of telephoto lenses and how do you fix it?

They show the depth of the scene to be more compressed/shorter than it was. You must crop out the foreground.

__ are frequently not regarded as restrictive areas requiring search warrants, unless they fall within the __

exterior of buildings

curtilage of a residence

What type of photo is the bridge between exterior overall photos and photos of individual items of evidence?

interior overall photos

What lens is preferred for interior overall photos?

50mm

What are the two ways to take interior overall photos?

corner to corner

parallel to each wall

What is the goal of midrange photographs?

to link the evidence to the crime scene

Midrange photos are taken from __ when possible

natural perspective

What photo is taken directly before a close-up?

midrange

What view is the only point of view that depicts a fair and accurate distance

Isosceles triangle point of view

Don’t become so focused on __ that you forget __

isosceles triangle point of view, cardinal rules

If composed properly, different __ will not have a negative distortion for horizontal lengths

focal lens lengths

True or false: If the same fixed feature will be used for multiple items of evidence that are close together, one well composed midrange photo will suffice.

True

What photos typically abandon the natural perspective?

close-up

What are the four types of close-up photos?

as found, with a labeled scale on the same plane, with evidence filling the frame and only a portion of the scale in view, altered

What f stop should be used for close-up photos for later comparison?

f/11

What f stop should be used for close-up photos not for comparison?

f/22

What are the three reasons to use a labeled scale on the same plane for a close-up image?

gives a sense of size

allows enlarging the image to life size

label helps document the image

If a close-up is to be used for comparison purposes, what should you also do? Why?

bracket the image with a +1 and -1

allows the examiner to choose with exposure shows the evidence best

Which close-up is not needed for items of larger evidence?

with the evidence filling the frame and only a portion of scale in view

What is the rule of thumb in reference to altered close-up photos?

Altered close-up photos should be done in a way that makes it immediately obvious to the viewer that the photo is of evidence that has been moved. 

What can the altered photo include, if useful?

a partial scale on the same plane

Midrange photos of a body require only a __ to a __

body part, fixed feature

What is the body panorama series of photographs?

right side, left side, head to toe, toe to head, full face shot, camera directly overhead

What is the Rule of Thumb relating to bodies at the crime scene?

If you want to fill the frame with a face while remaining at a distance that does not enlarge the nose, it is best to use a lens in the 100-120mm focal length, which is the perfect portraiture lens focal length

When photographing faces, try to have the __ and __ equidistance from the camera

forehead and chin

When photographing wounds, what should you start with?

a midrange photo showing the wound’s relation to a fixed feature of the body

What else should you do with wounds?

take as found close-up, close-up with scale, close-up with portion of scale

bracket 0, +1, -1

Photographically document all clues to the _ _

postmortem interval

What can help put the victim at ease when taking sensitive photographs?

having a same-sex photographer

the __ modesty and modesty for the __ are both important

victim’s, jurors

Don’t include the victim’s __ in photos of sensitive body areas

face

Why should you not include the victim’s face in photos of sensitive body areas?

the victim may be more willing to take the photo

less chance getting thrown out in court

__ the area requiring sensitive photographic documentation and make the image __ when possible

isolate, sexless

Let the victim know if __ may be needed

follow-up photography

Briefly explain written documentation that should accompany each photograph. When scales are used, explain why they should also be labeled.

The first photo taken at a crime scene should be the photo identifier, which includes case number, date/time, location, and the photographer’s name. Additionally, a photo memo sheet should be filled out for every image.

When scales are used, the image approaches the goal of being self documenting.

Briefly explain the types of exterior overall photographs. Explain the issues related to the different lenses that can be used and the perspective that is suggested.

Exterior overalls should be taken for the crime scene and for evidence. These should start at the intersection of the crime and work towards the crime scene.

Wide angles lenses elongate the scene while telephoto lenses compress the scene. Both can make the foreground look inaccurate and thus need to be cropped from the photo.

Natural perspective is recommended for overall photographs.

Briefly explain interior overall photographs. Explain the issues related to the different lenses that can be used and the perspective that is suggested.

Interior overall photos need to capture 360 views of rooms. This can be done corner to corner or parallel to the wall. The author suggests parallel to the wall because when shooting corner to corner, not all surfaces are equidistant from the camera. Natural perspective is best for overall photos.

Midrange photographs have a specific purpose, explain. They to have lens and perspective aspects. Explain them.

Midrange photos link evidence to the crime scene. These photos show an item of evidence in relation to a fixed feature in the room. For midrange photos, a normal lens should be used to eliminate distortion. The isosceles triangle point of view is the only view that gives accurate distance representations and should be used as much as possible.

Explain the four different types of close-up photographs that can be taken of evidence.

In situ

With a scale on the same plane

With the evidence filling the frame and only a portion of the scale in view

Altered

Explain the full body panorama series of photographs

Left side, right side, head to toe, toe to head, full-face, from above

Explain the advice to zoom in, crop, and drape when taking photos of sensitive areas of the body.

When taking photos of sensitive areas, care should be taken to hide areas of the body while capturing evidence. By zooming in to the evidence and draping clothing over sensitive areas, the evidence can be photographed with disclosing someone’s entire body.