photography and plan drawing

why do we photograph a scene?

Photograph scene to document it as found to help when recreating it

Show relevant objects/evidence in scene

Record exhibits prior to recovery

For comparison purposes

To show impartiality

As a briefing tool- investigation team, visual account for court, for other CSI's

To support notes for external agencies

what is a digital image?

Representation of real-world object, scene or phenomenon captured by electronic device

A picture made of pixels holding colour and info

Images captured by camera and stored electronically- on SD, cloud, hard drives

key features of a digital image

Pixels - more pixels=higher resolution=more detail

Resolution-no. of pixels in width and height - Higher is better for details

File formats-jpeg=smaller + image compression (printing and storage) TIFF or RAW- larger and keeps all original data (court use)

Metadata- digital images store hidden data-time-date-camera settings-GPS helps prove image authenticity and chain of custody

 

types of digital image

Still image- DSLR image capture onto SD card (metadata)

Video image

360 images

Smart phone

Body worn camera

INITIAL IMAGE CAPTURE IS ALWAYS THE ORIGINAL COPY

authority in photography

Means having the legal right and professional responsibility to take images and handle evidence- valid, ethical and can stand up in court

Legal permission to enter scene

Photographic documentation-only authorised personnel

Chain of custody- identity of photographer must be recorded (helps if no.1 exhibit)

do you need permission to take the images?

No specific permission needed for CSI

Empowered under national and force level policies e.g. NPCC

Photography is intrinsic to role

All actions governed by existing investigative protocols- ensuring validity

what is an audit trail?

Documented chain of evidence

Ensures integrity, authenticity and admissibility of photographic material in court

A complete, chronological record of:

Who captured image

When it was captured

What device was used

How the image was stored, transferred and processed

why do we need an audit trail and what is its importance?

Legal admissibility-incomplete, evidence may be challenged

Transparency- protects CSI's and claims of tampering or misconduct

Operational efficiency- makes retrieval and review easier in large scale

 

where can a CSI’s legal requirements be found?

Forensic Science Regulator Act 2021

Data Protection and Privacy laws

Police or organisational protocols

how many individual SD cards allowed per scene?

one

what must you check before taking images?

settings- highest quality

where are the images loaded to?

loaded onto police server or transferred to master and working copy disc

on completion- format memory card/ SD card

where are the images stored?

All images to be transferred to storage media

DVD- master and working copy WORM write once, read many times

Server only- uploaded to police server and copies needed a disc made

Server and disc- master copy to disc and working copy on Police Server

All images disclosable so subject to scrutiny in court so must be disclosed under strict rules to ensure a fair trial

Shouldn’t delete any images

legal requirements force policy

Criminal Procedure & Investigative Act 1996 Para 5.8

If criminal investigation results in proceedings being instituted, all material which may be relevant must be retained at least until the accused is acquitted or convicted or the prosecutor decides not to proceed with the case

 

things you must carry out during the scene photography progress

Photo name plate

Exterior of scene

Approach to scene

Route offender may have taken

Interior of scene including quartering

Long, mid, close up images

Comparison photographs

CAPTURE WHOLE SCENE, UNDISTURBED. DOCUMENT ALL INFO. LEAD VIEWER THROUGH SCENE

how do we document the whole scene?

Quarter scene-means eight really, stand in corner 4 corners 8 shots up and down diagonal view

Overlap shots

Fill in gaps

Small spaces and hidden/unseen areas

Look up!

Evidence location

 

how do we document the whole vehicle?

Corners front back sides

Chassis or vehicle identification number (VIN)

inside of car

any evidence - close mid long

what are long, mid and close-up shots used for?

Long shows where it is in scene include something fixed in room

Mid shows what it is

Close up shot of image-fill frame

what is composition in crime scene photography?

Is what you're photographing in image

Is it positioned correctly

How item is arranged in photo

Closeness, zoom, clear

Ensure image is clear, accurate and useful for analysis in court

why do we need sketches and plans of crime scenes?

Shows layout

Accurate measurements

Clarifies relationships between exhibits

Supports memory and documentation

Used as court evidence

Record scene in plan format

2 fixed points

Dimensions and distances

photographs for comparison impression/marks

• Fingerprints/friction ridge detail

• Tool marks

• Footwear marks