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Introduction to Incident Scene Photography New Mexico State Police Criminal Investigations Section

Introduction to Incident Scene Photography New Mexico State Police Criminal Investigations Section Crime Scene Team. Learning Objectives. Identify the requirements for a photo to be admissible in a court of law Identify the elements of a good, technical photograph. Learning Objectives.

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Introduction to Incident Scene Photography New Mexico State Police Criminal Investigations Section

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  1. Introduction to Incident Scene Photography New Mexico State Police Criminal Investigations Section Crime Scene Team

  2. Learning Objectives • Identify the requirements for a photo to be admissible in a court of law • Identify the elements of a good, technical photograph

  3. Learning Objectives • Identify the elements of technical photography • Demonstrate how to properly photograph footwear impressions • Demonstrate how to properly photograph tire impressions • Demonstrate how to properly photograph latent prints

  4. Introduction to Incident Scene Photography

  5. Introduction • For police officers, photography has become the primary way of documenting crime & traffic collision scenes. • Photography is a combination of art & science.

  6. Why Take Photographs At A Crime Scene? • Photographs document the scene in a way people can understand. • Photographs can be used to recreate the crime and to prove or disprove a suspect’s explanation. • They can help a jury understand where and how the crime was committed. • A picture is worth a thousand words.

  7. To Be Admissible in Court • Fair • Not biased or prejudicial • Must not appeal to the emotions of the jury • Accurate • Technically correct • Form, Tone, Color and Scale Test

  8. To Be Admissible in Court • Relevant • Of value to the court and jury in making decisions • Chain of Custody must be maintained • The photo must be identified • Introduced in court by a person who is qualified to identify it Test

  9. NM DPS Digital Imaging Policy • Capture • Take pictures in accordance with the manufacture's instructions, DPS policy and your training and experience. • Do not view the images (other than by the camera's built-in monitor) prior to the images being transferred to CD. • Storage • Store the images onto a permanent media (CD) as soon as possible. Once the images are stored onto a CD, the CD will be treated as original evidence...

  10. NM DPS Digital Imaging Policy • The CD should be labeled with a permanent (Sharpie) marker: • Case # • Item # • Photographer's name • Date images were captured & date transferred to disc • Location where the images were captured • Dissemination and image enhancement • Before any enhancements are made, you must make a working copy of the CD. • An “Image-Processing Log" shall be kept for enhancements. The log will detail all steps used to obtain the enhanced image. The software (& version) shall be documented. • Software shall be generally or scientifically accepted in the photography community as a valid tool for enhancement.

  11. Labeling the Disc as Evidence • Label as Original • Case# • Item# • Case Agent • Description • Date taken • Date to disc • Photographer

  12. Elements of a Good, Technical Photograph • Must be correctly exposed • Have maximum depth of field • Have an accurate perspective • Be in sharp focus Test

  13. Impression Evidence • Orientation (overview and midrange shots) • Show where the impression is located in the crime scene. • Close-up • Use a scale on the same plane as the impression. • Keep the film plane parallel to the plane of the impression • MUST USE A TRIPOD • Lighting • Block out ambient light with a large piece of cardboard and use a strong light source at oblique angle to show the best detail in the impression.

  14. Footwear Impression @ 90°

  15. Tire Impressions • Photograph tire impressions in sections showing one circumference of the tire. • Taking overlapping photographs, with a tape measure, parallel to the tire impression.

  16. Tire Impressions

  17. Photography of Very Important Vehicles • Exterior Photos • Use the “21 point” method • Sometimes it is not possible to get all 21 photos • Do your best • If you have multiple vehicles involved in a crash • Take the standard over-view photos of the ENTIRE scene first • Then, take 21 photos of each vehicle individually • Then, take mid-range and close-up photos of the evidence

  18. 21 Point Method Edge Front Edge Diagonal Diagonal Front Edge Front Edge Front Axle Front Axle Side Side Rear Axle Rear Axle Rear Edge Rear Edge Diagonal Edge Edge Diagonal Rear These 20 Photos + 1 Photo Directly Down = 21 Photos

  19. Begin by Taking Over-view Photos of the Scene

  20. Then, Take 21 Photos of Each Vehicle

  21. Example of 21 Photos of Each Vehicle

  22. 21 Photos of Each Vehicle

  23. 21 Photos of Each Vehicle

  24. 21 Photos of Each Vehicle

  25. 21 Photos of Each Vehicle

  26. 21 Photos of Each Vehicle

  27. 21 Photos of Each Vehicle

  28. 21 Photos of Each Vehicle

  29. 21 Photos of Each Vehicle

  30. 21 Photos of Each Vehicle • You will not be able to get all 21 shots due to the position of the vehicles • Just do your best

  31. Photographing the Interior of a Vehicle

  32. Photographing the Interior of a Vehicle

  33. Photographing the Interior of a Vehicle

  34. Photographing the Interior of a Vehicle

  35. Photographing the Interior of a Vehicle

  36. Photographing the Tread Pattern

  37. Fingerprints • Should be photographed before lifting • Orientation shot to show location • Consider using black & white film for greater contrast • Macro or close-up lens • Scale on the same plane must be used • 90 degree shot • Use a tripod

  38. Fingerprints

  39. Tool marks & serial numbers • Orientation photo • Evidence at the scene • Close-up photos • Use a scale on the same plane as the evidence • 90 degree photo • Oblique light to create small shadows in the detail • Use a tripod.

  40. Serial Number

  41. Toolmarks

  42. Impression Evidence • Orientation • Show where the impression is located in the overall crime scene. • Lighting • Block out the ambient light with an umbrella and use a strong light source at an oblique angle to show the best details. • Close-up • Use a scale on the same plane as the impression. • Keep the film plane 90° to the impression • Consider using a tripod

  43. Footwear Impression

  44. Tire Impressions • Photograph tire impressions in sections showing one circumference of the tire. • Taking overlapping photographs, with a tape measure, parallel to the tire impression. • Keep the film plane 90° to the impression

  45. Tire Impressions

  46. Photography of Bloodstains • Use color film • Take orientation photos to show location • Take close-up photos to show detail • Keep the film plane 90° to the print • L-shape ruler is preferred to get both width and length of stain • Consider using a tripod

  47. Photography of Bloodstains • Use bounced lighting or diffused light. • Oblique lighting works best when dealing with stains on fabric (very low angles). • May need additional magnification • A macro lens or the macro feature on the camera • A step-up lens

  48. Overview, midrange, close up

  49. Photos of bloodstains

  50. Bloodstains @ 90° To the Floor

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