FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY

INTRODUCTION:
The criminalist and investigator could not rely on their memories in which
photograph would serve as a sort of artificial memory for them. Remembering all
the things they had examined or investigated would be impossible after several
years before the case is presented in court. They need and preserved the things
they had examined and investigated for future references and court presentation.
Photography can be used for identification, record, preservation and substitution of
evidence of a crime. It can discover things which could not be seen by the naked
eye as photography extends man’s visual limitation take for instance an
obliterated writings, written words under super imposed ink which on the same in
color to the eye could be separated and shown singly by infrared photography.
Object hidden in boxes and other container may be detected and identified by X-
ray photography. The writing chemically erased can be restored by ultra-violet
photography.
Photography is one of the fastest mean of preserving the physical appearance of
an object or evidence such injuries sustain by victim or suspect which may change
as time goes by. It also help the Judges and lawyers to easily appreciate how the
crime look like without going to the crime scene which may have different view as
compared to the time the incident happened. It help illustrate how an object look
like without having going to explain by eye witnesses on how it look like as to the
color, shape, extend of damage, size etc.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Photography
1. Is derived from the Greek words, photos- which means light and graphy which
means – to draw. It is defined as a science or an art of process of producing images
of objects by the action of light on sensitized surface with the aid of an image-
forming device known as camera and its accessories and the chemical process
involved therein.
2. Forensic – is derived from the word forum- which means place for legal debate.
3. Forensic Photography – deals with the study of notion of photography, its
application to law enforcement work and the preparation of photographs for court
presentation.
4. Photograph – is the mechanical result of photography. To produce a photograph,
light is needed aside from sensitized materials (film and paper).
5. Camera – a light tight box; with a lens to form an image; with a shutter and
diaphragm to control the entry of the image; a means of holding a film to record
the image/ and a viewer or viewfinder to show the photographer what the image
is.
6. Lens – a medium or system which converges or diverges light passing thru it to
form images.
7. Film – a cellulose tape embedded with sensitized solution capable of recording
images thru light.
8. Infra-Red Photography – is the art or process of photographing or recording unseen
objects by the naked eye by means of infra-red light.
9. Ultra-Violet Photography – is the art or process of photographing unseen objects by
the naked eye with the use of ultra-violet rays and filters. The main purpose of
photographing ultra-violet photography is to provide information about an object or
materials, which cannot be obtained by ordinary photo methods.
10. Macro Photography – is photographing of object at greater that 1:1 ratio up
to nine (9) times magnification. It is the making of enlarge copies of prints such as
 photographs of tampered serial number of firearms, engine number and chassis
number of motor vehicle and the like.
11. Micro Photography – is the art or process of photographing minutes objects
and magnified by means of the microscope and enlarge from 10 times up.
12. Mug-shot – is the process of taking photographs of the suspect/s in full
length, half body, right and left side views, and two quarter views. To unidentified
cadavers, include marks on the victim’s body especially tattoo/scar for
identification.
13. Angle of view – the amount of area visible when looking through a lens.
Angle of view is determined by the focal length of the lens. The angle of view for a
standard 50 mm lens is approximately 47 degrees; for a 28 mm wide angle lens, it
is 75 degrees; for a 135 mm telephoto lens, it is 18 degrees.
14. Depth of Field – the distance between the nearest and the farthest objects in
apparent sharp focus when the lens is focused at a given point.
15. Aperture/ f-stop – a lens opening. The hole or opening in a camera lens
through which light passes to expose the film. The size of aperture is either fixed or
adjustable. Perturb size is marked in f-stops.
16. ASA – stands for American Standard Association. An early organization or
group that determines the numerical ratings for film speed. A number which
represents a film’s sensitivity to light. AT present, the organization which rates film
speed is the ISO (International Standard Organization).
17. DIN – a numerical rating used to describe the emulsion speed or light
sensitivity of German made films. Deutche Industries Norm (DIN).
18. Single-Lens-Reflex (SLR) Camera – a type of camera that allows the
photographer to see through the camera’s lens when viewing through the
viewfinder.
19. Normal Focal Length – A lens which has a focal length approximately equal to
but not more than twice the length of the diagonal of the negative material. Angle
of view exceeds 75 degrees but not less than 45 degrees.
20. Wide Angle Lens – A lens which has a focal length less than the diagonal of
its material. Angle of view exceeds 75 degrees.
21. Long or Telephoto Lens – A lens which has a focal length equal to more than
twice the diagonal of the negative material. Angle of view less than 45 degrees.
22. Zoom Lens – Lenses which allow the user to continuously vary the focal
length without changing the focus.
ELEMENTS OF PHOTOGRAPHY
A- a Object - The subject of the picture and can be anything under the sun.
B- Light - May be from many different sources, principally daylight, but there are
many sources of artificial light which can be used.
C- Camera - See definition
D- Sensitized Materials - Its either be film and paper. In the film type camera it is
always film, now on digital, its electronic memory.
E- Chemical Process - The chemical involved to process a film now on digital, can be
printed directly on photo paper or ordinary paper.
3. Importance of Crime Scene Photography
A- Permanent Record
A permanent record of the crime scene is considered indispensable to a successful
presentation of the case in court. A crime scene that is altered through careless
and haste can never be restored to its exact original condition.
B- Significance of certain aspects of the crime scene
 In the initial stages of an investigation, the significance of certain aspects of the
crime scene may not be evident, although later they may vitally affect the issues
in the case.
C- Reconstruction of the crime scene
A study of photograph can also assist the trained investigator in reconstructing the
crime scene and developing conclusions about how the crime occurred. In addition,
the photographs will make the job of the prosecutor much easier when a case is
presented in a court room. When necessary, photographs can be coordinated with
crime scene sketches or drawings that made to scale.
BASIC REQUIREMENT OF A PHOTOGRAPH ADMITTED AS EVIDENCE IN COURT
No matter how extensive the photographic efforts are at the crime scene,
photographs must stand the test of legal admissibility. The general standards used
to review the credibility of the photographers are:
a. Accurate representations of the crime scene or the object it purports to
reproduce.
b. Free of distortion
c. Material and relevant to the point in issue.
d. Unbiased.
Uses of Photography in Crime Investigation
a. Identification of the subject
We produce pictorial record of everything regarding the crime to include the
nearby surroundings. It is always better to take too many photographs than too
few then select the best. It is useful in personal identification as well as in the
identification of missing person, identification of stolen and lost properties.
A mug shot photography is taken on suspect for identification that shows the
following angle:
1) Frontal whole body, from head to foot with height scale behind. (could be with
case number and name included)
2) Frontal half body, head to elbow.
3) Half body right side, head to elbow.
4) Half body left side, head to elbow.
5) Left Quarter view (half body-head to elbow)
6) Right Quarter view (half body-head to elbow)
Note: The PNP Crime Laboratory is doing Composite Criminal Illustration by free hand
and by the computerized method. This can be made possible when a witness to a crime
have personally seen the suspect’s face. An accurate and detail description of the
suspect by a witness can help bring the actual facial description of the suspect through
the composite criminal illustration which would help in identifying the suspect.
Free Hand Computer Generated

b. Preservation of evidence
Preserve from necessary handling which might cause the evidence to deteriorate
or otherwise become altered.
c. Description of the Crime Scene
 It proves statements. In some instances, investigators are compelled to reconstruct
or describe in court the details of the crime scene they have investigated several
months ago but with the bulk of cases they have handled perhaps they may not
exactly recall. With the aid of photographs, investigators will not find hard time to
describe things in details. It provides a second look and often reveals detail that is
not apparent during the physical examination. It records all things that an
investigator may fail to notice.
d. Substitution to original documents/evidence
A photograph can be made as a representative of any evidence or documents. It
helps the expert witness in illustrating their findings. It is also used to reproduce
and copy documents.
e. Record
In court proceedings, judges, fiscals, and defense lawyers have generally never
visited the scene of the crime. Photographs greatly facilitate them in interpreting
the scene. It assists the court in understanding the case. It records all things that
an investigator may fail to notice.
Procedure in Photographing the Crime Scene
The goal is to record useful information in a series of photographs which will enable
the viewer to understand where and how the crime was committed. The term
“crime scene” not only refers to the immediate area where the crime took place,
but also to adjacent areas where important acts took place immediately before or
after the crime was committed. Taking photograph of a crime scene starts from
general to specific, however, in some circumstances photograph of some important
evidence or item is taken immediately when such object need to be move or may
change in appearance or disappear as time pass.
To enable the viewer of the photographs gain a clear concept of its position with
reference to other objects at the scene, the following procedure be observed:
1) General View or Long-range
General view or long range photographs of the overall scene fundamentally are
taken to portray the areas as if a person viewing the scene is seeing it from the
standing position. To obtain this result, the photographer takes the photograph
with the camera at eye level.
2) Medium View or Mid-range
Medium view or mid-range photographs are taken in a manner which portrays the
scene from approximately ten to twenty feet of distance from the subject matter. In
order that the viewer be permitted to associate the crime scene with separate
areas of the scene photographed, these areas should contain sufficient details to
permit the viewer this association.
3) Close-up View/ Range
Close-up range photographs are normally taken approximately five feet or less
from the subject matter. The attention of close-up photography is directed to
object which could be effectively seen in the long-range and mid-range
photographs.
Take necessary extreme close-up shot on the subject to show the extent of
damage, objects that is small in size such as fingerprints, shoe print, tool marks,
fibers, hair, injury, blood splatter, documents, tools, etc. Always take a second
photograph with a scale to show the actual size of the object and the camera must
always be parallel to the film plane (use tripod and a measuring scale/device to be
more accurate ).
Sequential Photographs of the Crime Scene
 Each crime scene has individual features that should be photographed. Keep in
mind the nature of the offense and try to show those features that establish the
elements of the offense. Photographs should be taken of:
1. Views of the exterior of the building/ vehicle in relation to other buildings/ vehicles,
roads/ streets, etc.
2. Point of entry and exit outside and inside. The point of entry an exit should be
shown in such a manner that the marks of force will be shown clearly. A scale
should also be visible but never place a suspect tool into the tool mark because it
may alter the evidence.
3. Interiors of the crime scene/ room. When photographing the interior of a crime
scene or a room, use a 35mm camera lens instead of wide angle lens. A wide
angle lens creates distortion, especially when close-up photographs are taken.
Take photograph from all corners to cover-up all sides of the room (overlapping), if
possible a top view photograph of the floor.
4. Condition (s) of the crime scene. It shows how thing or objects found at the scene
and the general result of the incident.
5. Articles left at the scene.
6. Area from which valuable articles were removed.
7. Trace evidence, such as hairs, fibers and cigarette butts.
8. Tool marks and impressions of shoes or tire tracks.
9. Fingerprints as well as articles on which these prints may be found. ∙ Helpful Hints
in taking photograph of a crime scene
Signs of activity prior to the occurrence, such as the telephone receiver off the
hook or wires cut, playing cards orderly stacked or scattered, TV and lights turned
on, food in cooking stages, coffee cups, drinking glasses or liquor bottles, time
watch and clock stopped should be recorded on film. In general, articles apparently
in use immediately prior to the commission of the crime or which appear to have
been disturbed from their customary position should be photographed.
In suspected rape cases, the purpose of the photography is to record information
or signs of any struggle at the scene where the attack occurred, or indications of
the victim’s effort to resist attack; such as bruises, black and blue marks, torn
clothing, etc. Bite marks should be photographed using oblique lighting, with and
without a measuring device at the crime scene and also the morgue.
In a rape-homicide investigation, infrared photography of the body may detect
latent bite marks since hemorrhaging can occur in tissue under the skin. The
location of foreign hairs and fibers, biological fluids and stains should be obtained
and if the victim is a minor,. Secure a written permission from the parent or
guardian. It is recommended that the victim’s physician be present when such
photographs are made. Blood spatter on walls should be photographed with the
lens parallel to the stain so that directionally, the direction of the blood flowed can
be determined.
In sexual exploitation of children’s case, every room in a suspect’s residence
should be photographed even if no physical evidence (such as photographs or
video tapes) are found during a crime scene search. Chances are the suspect has
concealed this materials at another location. Rarely will these photographs be
discarded since they represent a trophy or remembrance of the conquest. When
these photographs are recovered, they may be compared with the crime scene
photos to prove they were taken in the suspect’s dwelling. Occasionally, a suspect
will place his own camera on a tripod and using a cable release or self timer, will
photograph himself with his victim. Usually, he will compose the photographs so
his face is not seen. However, if the photograph is sharp enough, the suspect may
 still be identified through physical characteristics such as scars, marks, wrinkles,
etc.
In death due to asphyxia as a result of a hanging, doubt sometimes exist as to
whether the occurrence is murder, suicide, or an accident. Photograph the original
position of the body to help in determining the manner of death. Overall view of
the body and rope should be taken at torso and foot level. Show the height of the
body above ground; a murderer usually tries to raise the body completely, while
the suicide victim frequently never gets his feet off the ground and is sometimes
found in a sitting position or half-prone position. Photographs should be made to
show the relative position of any object, such as a chair or a stool, which appears
to have been kicked from under the feet of the deceased.
Subject for close-up shots are the knots, its size, type and location on the neck;
depth and location of the grooves in the neck; black-and-white marks around the
edge of the groove (here, color film is especially helpful); signs of violence about
the neck, suggesting prior strangulation; protrusions of the tongue, binding of the
hands and feet, etc.
In drowning case, the body is usually the sole object of interest. But did the
deceased actually die of drowning or was he thrown into the water after death
from some other cause. The photographic operation should be directed towards
those facts which will help to resolve this question. Color film is exceptionally
useful here since many of the significant clues may be matters of discoloration.
Photograph the whole body, body from the position of standing observer and from
the ground level. The latter view will show any distinction of the body. Close-up
should include any foam about the mouth; wounds, peculiar markings, bruises, or
unusual discoloration; articles such as seaweed, grasped in the hand; and any rope
or wire bindings. Many of these views can be made at the morgue before autopsy.
Parts and Function of a Camera
There are hundred of different types of camera, though many are similar, none of
them work exactly the same way even the same brand. Learning the basic function
of a camera is more complete with the Single-Lens-Reflect (SLR) Camera which
represents the different function or operation of a camera.
Basic Parts of the Camera
1) Viewfinder
The viewfinder enables a photographer to see the subject. There are basically two
types of camera viewfinders. The first type will allow you to look through the lens
of the camera while the other will enable you to view at a plane parallel to the
camera lens.
2) Focusing Mechanism
SLR and DSLR cameras have another mechanism called the focusing mechanism,
which is normally you can focus well using the viewfinder itself but SLR has
focusing meters.
3) Shutter
The camera shutter is a device that enables light to enter through the lens for
small period of time to enhance the exposure of photographic film. There are
different types of shutters used in modern day cameras like leaf shutter,
diaphragm shutters, focal plane shutter, projector shutter and central shutters.
4) Lens
This is considered to be the most important part of the camera. It is a far more
important than the glossy dials and other advanced features that are part and
parcel of modern day digital cameras. A basic camera lens comprises of multiple
elements that will help you to add a creative element to your photography. The
 multiple elements in a camera lens help in directing light to the camera sensors so
that it can get high clarity of the object being shot. The main aim of the lens and
its multiple elements is to reduce any kind of aberrations.
5) Body
The body of the camera helps in limiting the amount of light that exposes the
sensitive film that is why it is being called light tight box.
Types of Sensitize Materials
1) Films are mostly in SLR and point and shoot cameras. There are different types of
films available in color or black and white. Color films include slow films (25-64
ISO), medium films (100-200 ISO), fast films (400-1000 ISO) and ultrafast films
(1600-3200 ISO).
2) Sensitize Paper – It can be a black and white or colored. It can have different
texture such glossy, semi glossy and others.
Steps to follow to obtain good photographs
A. When inserting a roll of film in the camera, you must always set your ASA dial
according to the film speed as stated on the film cartridge. This adjusts your built-
in light meter to the film's light sensitivity. Commercially available Films ASA 50,
100, 200, 400
B. For crime or accident scenes outdoor during day time, the shutter speed on the
camera should be set at 1/125 sec. This is usually a good starting point for the
shutter speed in outdoor bright daylight. Your shutter speed could change from a
slower speed to a faster one depending on the light intensity and ASA of the film
used at the time the photograph is taken. Shutter Speed B, 1, 2, 4, 8, 15, 30, 60,
125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000
Number 1 stands for a whole second and the others are fraction of a second. The
shutter speed of 125 is capable of stopping the movement of the subject.
Note: Use a shutter speed faster than 1/30 of a second for all hand held photographs.
The camera must be supported with tripod, etc. for shutter speeds of 1/30 of a second or
slower. A body move and camera shake when pressing the shutter release button may
register in the photographs.
C. The lens opening or f-stop. The size of the lens opening in your camera is the other
factor that determines the amount of light that reaches the film. The indicator on
the camera for the degree of light passing through the camera lens is called the “f”
number. The smaller the “f” number the bigger the opening and vice versa. Much
like fast films and slow films, there are fast and slow lenses. A fast lens, for
instance, is one that transmits more light. The user should be cautious, however,
since fast lenses do not produce the sharpest images. The aperture affects the
depth of field on the image, the higher the number, the smaller the lens opening,
the smaller the lens opening, the greater depth of field.
Standard F-stop of cameras f/1.4, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16, f/22
f/1.4 f/5.6 f/22
D. Adjust your light meter needle as seen in the viewfinder by turning the aperture
ring located on the barrel of the lens until the needle is properly lined up. When the
needle is properly lined up, this tells the photographer that the light entering the
camera will produce a properly exposed photograph (Some camera uses light that
brink as red, orange and green). Yellow Green Red + 3 +2 +1 0 -1 -2 -3 Less
Average Much
E. Your final step in available light photography is to compose your shot and focus.
You must control your
Lighting Techniques
 A. Electronic flash (Note: Disregard the light meter in the camera when using
electronic flash)
B. Flash off camera
C. Bounce flash
D. Bounce off a white or light colored surface
E. Manual flash: Add the distance up and down for the flash-to-subject distance then
figure in the absorbance loss (one to three f/stops)
F. Automatic flash with sensor facing the subject; use a range for two times or more
times the actual flash-to-subject distance.
G. Multiple flash
H. Available light
I. Painting with light
Your flash is so important that deserves special consideration. It serves as your
artificial light. It must be with you at all times. With experience, you may be able to
learn how to use the flash to duplicate almost any type of natural lighting.
Even without experience, the flash can help improve crime scene photography a
great deal. You normally need front lighting and the flash mounted on the camera
will provide it automatically. The problem is the shadow produced by the flash and
possible reflected light from shinny subject that may affect the photograph.
Steps to Follow to Obtain Properly Exposed Film in Artificial Light (i.e. Flash)
Photography:
A. Your flash unit, now being your main light source, must be adjusted to the proper
ASA setting according to the speed of the film being used-for the same reasons
you adjusted the camera light meter to the film speed being used (Follow the
manual).
B. Flash adjustment will be in accordance to the distance and lens opening you
wanted to use for your shots. Some digital camera flash has automatic setting
base on the setting made on the camera.
C. When choosing a setting you must keep in mind both the distance requirement and
the desired DEPTH OF FIELD (DOF).
D. When using the MANUAL MODE, always ensure your Aperture setting corresponds
with the distance indicated on your flash scale. Also, check the Thyristor Sensor to
ensure that you have set it "M" position.
NOTE: When using a flash as the light source, adjustment must be done to both the
camera and the flash unit in order to obtain a properly exposed photograph.