Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Question 1

The two most common types are know as ____ and ____ and the ____.

Elements of a Digital Camera System

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 1

POINT & SHOOT; SINGLE LENS REFLEX (SLR);

Question 2

Cameras are inexpensive, easy to use, and the most widely available in the commercial market. One disadvantage is that they have limited functionality for some Law Enforcement purposes.

Elements of a Digital Camera System

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 2

POINT AND SHOOT;

Question 3

Cameras are considered more professional and are primarily identified by their capability to remove and exchange lenses. These cameras provide greater control over various aspects of photographic exposure, which include:

1. ability to exchange lenses
2. time exposures
3. more law enforcement capabilities

Elements of a Digital Camera System

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 3

SLR (SINGLE LENS REFLEX);

Question 4

M (Manual) - This mode is typically not available for most Points and Shoot cameras.
S (Shutter-Speed) - Shutter priority
A (Aperture) - controls the aperture
AUTO - meters available lighting and adjusts the camera setting
P (Programmed Automatic) - Police keep it in “P”, photographer controls ONLY the flash function
Macro mode - use for close-up photographs, such as finger prints
Pre-set modes - automatic settings for the type of photograph the icon represents

The Mode Dial

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 4

THE MODE DIAL;

Question 5

The ____ should be formatted prior to each use. This assists in the authentication of the photographs as evidence.

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 5

SD MEMORY CARD;

Question 6

Is primarily selected for its’ accuracy, speed and overall ease of use in general photography situations.

Functions of the camera lens

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 6

AUTO-FOCUS;

Question 7

The photographer must adjust the focus ring at the end of the 18-55mm lens to choose which subject material is in sharp focus.

Used for specific assignments such as documenting items of evidence, focusing on the a subject through a raindrop covered windshield or remaining conceleaedu while photographing around the corner of a building. This allows the photographer to choose the point of focus rather than the camera/lens making that determination.

Attempting to focus the lens while the auto focus option is selected could result in damage to the lens.

Functions of the camera lens

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 7

MANUAL FOCUS;

Question 8

Function is given in millimeters.

Lower focus lengths are considered wide angle (W - zoom out) lenses and are 24mm or less.

Normal focal lengths are between 24mm and 70mm, and are recommended for standard crime scene documentation.

Higher focal lengths are referred to as telephoto (T - zoom in) lenses and extend form 70mm and higher; and are used for objects/scenes or great distances in surveillance operations.

By selecting a longer focal length, it should be noted that the subject appears to get larger while the field of view gets smaller.

Functions of the camera lens

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 8

ZOOM;

Question 9

____ ____ lengths are considered wide angle (W - zoom out) lenses and are 24mm or less.

Functions of the camera lens - Zoom

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 9

LOWER FOCUS;

Question 10

____ ____ lengths are between 24mm and 70mm, and are recommended for standard crime scene documentation.

Functions of the camera lens - Zoom

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 10

NORMAL FOCAL;

Question 11

____ ____ lengths are referred to as telephoto (T - zoom in) lenses and extend form 70mm and higher; and are used for objects/scenes or great distances in surveillance operations.

Functions of the camera lens - Zoom

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 11

HIGHER FOCAL;

Question 12

On the left side of the 18-55mm lens is a ____ ____ (VR) switch that assists in minimizing blur cause by camera movement. This switch should remain ON unless the camera is mounted onto a tripod.

Functions of the camera lens

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 12

VIRATION REDUCTION;

Question 13

Nikon settings available are RAW, Fine, Normal, Basic and RAW + Basic.

Quick Settings Display Menu

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 13

IMAGE QUALITY;

Question 14

Recommended image format setting for general crime scene or event documentation photographs should be a minimally compressed ____ format such as Fine.

Quick Settings Display Menu - Image Quality

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 14

JPEG;

Question 15

Recommended image quality for analysis type photographs (i.e. fingerprint, footwear, tool mark, blood pattern) is a non-compressed format such as ____.

Quick Settings Display Menu - Image Quality

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 15

RAW;

Question 16

Minimally compressed (____) or no compression (RAW) in digital imaging will yield higher quality images suitable for analysis and comparison or for higher levels of enlargement.

Quick Settings Display Menu - Image Quality

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 16

FINE;

Question 17

Nikon settings are Small, Medium, or Large. Most cameras have similar options referring to image size.

Quick Settings Display Menu

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 17

IMAGE SIZE;

Question 18

Image size is measured in pixels (Picture Elements). A ____ contains one million picture elements.

Quick Settings Display Menu - Image Size

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 18

MEGAPIXEL;

Question 19

The minimum recommended Megapixel standard for cameras used for Law Enforcement purpose is ____ Megapixels.

Quick Settings Display Menu - Image Size

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 19

6;

Question 20

Recommended image size setting for LE imaging is ____. As a general rule, the smaller the image, the smaller the file size, the lower quality the printed image.

Quick Settings Display Menu - Image Size

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 20

LARGE;

Question 21

Nikon settings are 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, and HI1. Relates to the sensitivity of a digital camera’s sensor to available light.

Quick Settings Display Menu

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 21

ISO SENSITIVITY;

Question 22

1. Light
2. ISO
3. Shutter Speed
4. Aperture

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 22

LISA

Question 23

The four basic factor that affect photographic images are ____, ____, ____, and ____.

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 23

LIGHT; ISO; SHUTTER SPEED; APERTURE;

Question 24

Without this photography would be impossible.

Four Basis Factors that Affect Photographic Images

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 24

LIGHT;

Question 25

The most common lighting environment that we complete photography in is natural sunlight.

Four Basis Factors that Affect Photographic Images - Light

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 25

NATURAL LIGHT;

Question 26

All types of light other than natural light are considered artificial light sources, which includes light that we may have to introduce into the environment to take photographs.

1. Electronic flash
2. Incandescent lighting
3. Fluorescent lighting
4. Forensic light sources

Four Basis Factors that Affect Photographic Images - Light

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 26

ARTIFICIAL LIGHT;

Question 27

Mounted inside the camera body is the camera’s shuttle curtain. This curtain controls the duration of time that light is permitted to strike the sensor. This curtain can be controlled either by the camera’s shutter release button, a self-time control, or a remote control.

Four Basis Factors that Affect Photographic Images

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 27

SHUTTER SPEED;

Question 28

The duration that the shutter curtain is open is referred to as ____ ____.

A primary function of the shutter is to control the duration of time that ____ enters the camera.

Four Basis Factors that Affect Photographic Images - Shutter Speed

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 28

SHUTTER SPEED; LIGHT;

Question 29

The duration of time that the shutter remains open can cause ____ in moving subjects.

Shutter speed is the camera function that stops the motion of a ____ subject.

Four Basis Factors that Affect Photographic Images - Shutter Speed

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 29

BLUR; MOVING;

Question 30

____ per second is the minimum shutter speed for handheld photography (helps control ‘camera shake’ and movement caused by the photographer). This is a general rule of thumb.

Four Basis Factors that Affect Photographic Images - Shutter Speed

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 30

1/60TH;

Question 31

1/60th - ____ - to stop motion of walking or running subject (depending on speed of subject and direction of travel).

Four Basis Factors that Affect Photographic Images - Shutter Speed

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 31

1/250TH;

Question 32

____ - 1/4000th - to stop motion of moving vehicle (depending on speed of vehicle (depending on speed of vehicle and direction of travel).

Four Basis Factors that Affect Photographic Images - Shutter Speed

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 32

1/500TH

Question 33

Is a physical opening in a camera lens or an optical instrument that allows light to pass through.

Four Basis Factors that Affect Photographic Images

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 33

APERTURE;

Question 34

A primary function of aperture is to ____ the amount of light entering the lens. Depending on the aperture setting selected the size of the aperture will dictate the amount of light that strikes the sensor.

A secondary effect of aperture is controlling depth of field. ____ of field can be defined as the area of acceptable sharpness in photographs.

Four Basis Factors that Affect Photographic Images - Aperture

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 34

CONTROL; DEPTH;

Question 35

Physically ____ apertures (f 11 - f 22) provides a wider area of focus in front of and behind the focused subject.

Physical ____ apertures (f 1.4 - f 4) provide a smaller area of focus in front of and behind the focused subject.

Four Basis Factors that Affect Photographic Images - Aperture

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 35

SMALLER; LARGER;

Question 36

This in a digital camera refers to the sensitivity of the camera’s sensor to available light. Sets the standards for digital camera sensors. This is the setting in the camera that is adjusted for low-light, dynamic surveillance operations.

Ranges typically vary form 100-6400 in most cameras. Hi1, Hi2, and Hi3 which boost into tens of thousands and even the hundreds of thousands, depending on the model.

Not all cameras allow for adjustment of this setting.

Four Basis Factors that Affect Photographic Images

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 36

ISO (INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR STANDARDIZATION);

Question 37

____ ISO settings cause the camera’s sensor to be more sensitive to light, but introduce “noise” into the photograph. ____ ISOs (400-H1) perform better in low light conditions, such as night-time surveillance operations.

Four Basis Factors that Affect Photographic Images - ISO

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 37

HIGHER; HIGHER;

Question 38

____ ISO settings cause the camera’s sensor to be less sensitive to light. ____ ISOs (100-200) require more light in the environment, but limit “noise” in photographs and provide improved image quality. Are required for crime scene and examination quality photography.

Four Basis Factors that Affect Photographic Images - ISO

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 38

LOWER; LOWER;

Question 39

EPO 3 - List techniques associated with photographing and videoing a crime scene and/or physical evidence

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Question 40

When done systematically and thoroughly, provides vital information regarding the location and significance of physical evidence associated with a criminal investigation.

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 40

PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION;

Question 41

Prior to photographing the scene, the SD card should be freshly formatted and a ____ or “head slate” should be filled in and photographed.

Should be filled and photographed as the first and last photo.

a. Photographer’s name
b. Location of investigation
c. Date & time of photography
d. Type of Incident
e. Case number

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 41

PHOTO IDENTIFIER;

Question 42

All photographs taken should be listed chronologically on a ____ ____. A brief description of the photograph, and its general location, may prove to be invaluable during later reconstruction efforts, or during court room testimony, which may occur weeks, months, or years after the actual investigation. This will assist the photographer in reminding why the photograph was important at the time it was taken.

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 42

PHOTO LOG;

Question 43

Digital images must not be ____ during the photography of a crime scene or evidence. Out of cows, poorly composed, or accidental shots should be maintained. It is far easier to explain a poor quality photograph than to risk a personal credibility for case evidence.

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 43

DELETED;

Question 44

There are three primary photographic perspectives in crime scene photography, overall, intermediate/midrange, and close up.

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 44

DOCUMENTATION PERSPECTIVIES;

Question 45

The physical location of the crime scene, search warrant, or event should be sufficiently photographed to allow the viewer to recognize where the crime was committed or where the event took place.

This perspective should be thought of as the “big picture”

Series of photographs will establish where the scene is located in relation to adjacent structures.

Attempt to include street signs or other fixed landmarks to orient the viewer.

4 corners/4 walls - 8 walls

Documentation Perspectives

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 45

OVERALL;

Question 46

When possible, ____ photographing personnel, vehicles and equipment in any crime scene photographs. Additionally, these photos should be obtained prior to any scene contamination or search for physical evidence.

Documentation Perspectives

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 46

AVOID;

Question 47

Documenting all sides of a structure or views of an area should be conducted from angular and parallel positions.

Documentation Perspectives - Overall

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 47

OVERALL EXTERIOR;

Question 48

Evidence should be completely documented with intermediate and close up photography prior to proceeding inside. This allows for collection of any evidence that may be easily destroyed or compromised by interference, theft or environmental concerns.

Documentation Perspectives - Overall Exterior

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 48

EVIDENCE (EXTERIOR);

Question 49

After the exterior of the scene is properly documented, the photographer can move inside to document the scene and any relevant evidence. The photographer should obtain a briefing from the case agent or first officer on the scene ____ to proceeding into the interior of the residence.

This briefing should include:
List of potential evidence needing photographed
The location of that evidence
As well as locations of any perishable trace evidence that could be contaminated or destroyed by walking into the scene.

Documentation Perspectives

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 49

OVERALL INTERIOR; PRIOR;

Question 50

May be necessary in the event the side of the structure cannot be documented with a single photograph. A ten percent overlap should be sufficient and an attempt to main the same distance during each overlapping photograph should be made.

Documentation Perspectives - Overall Interior

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 50

MULTIPLE OVERLAPPING PHOTOGRAPHS;

Question 51

After the overall exterior and interior scenes have been documented, the photographer can be begin to acquire.

This perspective is critical to illustrate exactly where physical evidence is contained within a scene.

These images should be composed in such a manner that little explanation is required as to where an item of evidence is located.

Used to show a relationship of evidence in the context of the scene.

Documentation Perspectives

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 51

INTERMEDIATE/MIDRANGE;

Question 52

This intermediate perspective should include the item of evidence and fixed feature within the scene.

Edge of a driveway or sidewalk, a fire hydrant, telephone pole, corner of a house or building, an inside or outside corner of a room, or door and window James.

Its best, when possible, to exclude all other non-relevant information form the photo other than the intended item of evidence and the fixed feature. Should be documented in this manner.

Documentation Perspectives - Intermediate/Midrange

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 52

EVIDENCE TO THE SCENE;

Question 53

When a piece of evidence is located in close proximity to another piece or pieces of evidence and their association is integral to the investigation, a photo should be obtained that includes each of these items of evidence and a fixed feature within the scene.

Documentation Perspectives - Intermediate/Midrange

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 53

EVIDENCE TO EVIDENCE;

Question 54

After the evidence has been sufficiently related to the sense with the intermediate/midrange photographs, the isolated close up compositions of each item of evidence should be obtained. Are single photographs that provide detail of the subject.

Documentation Perspectives

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 54

CLOSE UP;

Question 55

Close up photographs of items of evidence should be composed in such a fashion that they fill the frame of the camera’s viewfinder. Regardless of the size of the item, the evidence should be the only thing in the photograph.

Documentation Perspectives - Close up

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 55

FULL FRAME;

Question 56

This approach helps minimize any angular distortion caused by off angle photography.

Documentation Perspectives - Close up

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 56

90 DEGREE ANGLE

Question 57

When items of evidence have a geometric shape, the photographer should attempt to frame the evidence in the viewfinder so that it lines up evenly with the vertical and horizontal boundaries. Eliminates the need for any post capture editing, and makes for professional looking end product.

Documentation Perspectives - Close up

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 57

COMPOSITION;

Question 58

Help in associating the item of evidence and its location within a scene. Correspond identically with the physical evidence or property log that describes the collected evidenced. Should not be included net to items of property not intended for collection as part of the investigation.

Documentation Perspectives

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 58

MARKERS;

Question 59

Provide a gauge for the actual size of an item of evidence. Commonly used during close up photography of items of evidence that will eventually be submitted to a crime laboratory for analysis, e.g. fingerprint, and tire & footwear evidence.

Initials, case number, and item number on a piece of tape on the scale, may help with documentation.

Documentation Perspectives

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 59

SCALES;

Question 60

a. Do not walk while recording
b. Camera moves should be slow and deliberate, so that the viewers can appreciate the nature of the scene and any evidence.
c. Should be made prior to searching the scene or moving evidence. As is or pristine condition.
d. Perspectives of overall, intermediate and close up should be used
e. Narration should be kept to a minimum using only facts or preamble type statement. The video should speak for itself.
f. A 3-5 second motionless pause should precede and follow each of the camera moves.
g. Ensure the data/time stamp are correct prior to recording
h. An exit view can be beneficial to depict existing conditions
i. The video card should be finalized to protect it
j. Upon completion of the video, a working copy should be made. Original should be secured as evidence in accordance with agency policy.

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 60

VIDEO CONSIDERATIONS

Question 61

___ - a slow and deliberate horizontal motion

___ - a slow and deliberate vertical motion

___ - this function brings objects/persons “optically closer” for viewing detail or remaining covert during surveillance.

Video Considerations

Basic Law Enforcement Photography

Answer 61

PAN; TILT; ZOOM;