Crime Scene Photography Terms

oblique lighting

side lighting, reveals texture

flash unit

attachable light, connects with sync cord, has light thing

sync cord

allows flash in hard to reach places, helps with oblique lighting

fill flash

evens lighting extremes

macro lens

gets the fine details

flashlight

used in cases such as bite marks because you can see the angle before taking the photo

how to photograph bitemarks

overall and then one arch at a time

sync speed

the fastest shutter speed that allows for full flash exposure without blur.

metering

assess the light to determine proper exposure settings

ready light

a button the lights up when flash is ready for the next photo

guide number

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

TTL

through the lens metering

BL

balanced lighting

Nikon SB 5000

a dedicated flash unit

dedicated flash unit is…

controlled by the light meter in the camera body

diffuser

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

bounce card

reduces the power of flash by redirecting the light produced

bouncing the flash

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

low ISO

bright areas

high ISO

dark areas

low f stop

less in focus

high f stop

more in focus

low shutter speed

static objects

high shutter speed

moving objects

ISO

indication of sensors sensitivity to light

shutter speeds

indicated by fractions of a second

bracketing

the intentional overexposure and underexposure of photos taken from the same position

polarizer filter

eliminates reflections or glares

Can a photo intended for evidence use be edited?

Not by the TI

What is an altered close-up photo?

A photo that is not in it’s original location, state, or condition

What camera did forensic imaging start with?

Camera Obscura, first pinhole camera

What is an example of an inflammatory image from a scene?

An image of grieving relatives at a scene

What are the foundations for admissibility of a photo?

• Relevancy

• Must be material

When was the mugshot standardized?

1888

When did the Supreme Court rule photographs as admissible evidence?

1859, followed by other courts

When did the FBI establish a forensic photography analysis unit?

1948

Composition

The intentional choosing of the image’s elements

What are the three steps for good composition?

• Compose the scene/primary subject

• Determine proper exposure

• Focus the camera

What are the cardinal rules of good crime scene photography composition?

• Fill the frame

• Maximize depth of field

• Keep film plane parallel

What should you do to maximize the depth of field?

Select the smallest aperture opening

What does it mean to keep the film plane parallel?

90 degrees to object, perpendicular to edges

What are the two main exceptions to keeping the film plane parallel?

• Reflective surface like a window or mirror

• Long object on the ground

What is the minimum pictures needed for a room?

six

What is the purpose of overall photographs?

They link the scene to the general surroundings

What perspective should overall and midrange photos be taken from?

A natural perspective

What is a natural perspective?

An eye-level perspective

What is the ideal first exterior overall photograph taken at the scene?

The intersection closest to the scene, ideally with the scene in the background

What are the first photos to be taken of a body?

Midrange photos that set the body to a fixed point of the scene.

What photographs should be taken of wounds?

• Midrange

  • Fixed to a spot on the body

• Close-up

  • As is

  • Fully labeled scale

According to OK state law, who can touch/move a body at a crime scene?

the ME

How should midrange photos establish evidence?

By framing it with a fixed object to the scene

What shape should be formed when taking a midrange photo?

An isosceles triangle

What is acutance?

The camera’s ability to render a sharp edge of the subject as a sharp edge in the photograph

What is sharpness?

The overall image is in focus and the light coming in is at exactly the right point

What is focal length?

Distance in mm between the optical center of lens and sensor when camera is focused on infinity

Mastered

What type of lens can change focal lengths?

Zoom lens

What focal length are the Nikon Z50?

16mm - 50mm

When do you use program mode?

Reciprocal exposures and bracketing

What is lens speed?

Refers to the capabilities of the adjustable diaphragm within

What are lenses designated by?

Their widest aperture length

What is considered a normal lens?

50mm