Basic Law Enforcement Photography and Video

Question 1

What are two types of cameras?

Answer 1

Point and Shoot

SLR (Single Lens Reflex)

Question 2

What is the “P” mode?

Answer 2

Programmed automatic mode. Semi-auto mode in which the photographer controls ONLY the flash function , and the camera controls the remaining settings.

Question 3

What is Marco Mode?

Answer 3

Both Point and Shoot and SLR cameras tend to have this option. Macro is used for close-up photographs, such as finger prints. Normally represented by a flower icon.

Question 4

What is Aperture mode?

Answer 4

Photographer controls the aperture, and the other functions are automatically controlled by the camera. This mode is typically not available for most Point and Shoot cameras.

Question 5

What is the minimum recommended megapixel standard for cameras used for Law Enforcement purposes?

Answer 5

6 megapixels.

Question 6

What are the four basic factors that affect photographic images?

Answer 6

LISA
Light
Iso
Shutter Speed
Aperture

Question 7

What are two types of light sources?

Answer 7

Natural light

Artificial light

Question 8

What is shutter speed?

Answer 8

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

Question 9

What is the minimum shutter speed for handheld photography?

Answer 9

1/60th per second

Question 10

What shutter speed should you use to stop motion of walking or running subject?

Answer 10

1/60th-250th

Question 11

What shutter speed should you use to stop motion of a moving vehicle?

Answer 11

1/500th-1/4000th

Question 12

What is Aperture?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

What is ISO?

Answer 13

The sensitivity of the camera’s sensitivity to available light. ISO stands for International Organization for Standardization. This is the setting in the camera that is adjusted for low-light dynamic surveillance operations.

Question 14

What ISO setting causes the camera’s sensor to be MORE sensitive to light?

Answer 14

Higher ISO (400-H1)
Perform better in low light conditions.

Question 15

What ISO setting causes the camera’s sensor to be LESS sensitive to light?

Answer 15

LOWER ISO (100-200)
Requires more light in the environmet

Question 16

What should be done before handling or moving physical evidence?

Answer 16

Should be photographically documented.

Question 17

Crime scene photos should…

Answer 17

speak for themselves if they are good, should require very little testimony by the investigator.

Question 18

Is it ok to delete photos?

Answer 18

No

Question 19

What are the three photographic perspectives in crime scene photography?

Answer 19

Overall
Intermediate/Mid range
Close-ups

Question 20

What is the “overall” photographic perspective?

Answer 20

The physical location of the crime scene, (The big picture) (Tell a story) (overlapping coverage) search warrant , or event should be photographed to allow the viewer to recognize where the crime was committed or where the event took place in relation to adjacent structures.

Question 21

What is the “intermediate/midrange” perspective?

Answer 21

This perspective is critical to illustrate exactly where physical evidence is contained within a scene. Without this perspective, close up photos of individual items of evidence have diminished value because they have not been properly related to the scene.

Question 22

What is the “close-up” perspective?

Answer 22

Isolated compositions of individual items of evidence that could be used as exhibits in court.
Full Frame
90 degree angle
Composition

Question 23

1 mega pixel = how many million pixels?

Answer 23

1 million

Question 24

What are markers and scales for?

Answer 24

They can be introduced into the scene after documenting the scene in pristine condition. These are not included into the earlier perspectives because their introduction could render an inaccurate depiction of how the scene looked when it was initially discovered.

Question 25

What are the three camera moves Law Enforcement uses?

Answer 25

Pan
Tilt
Zoom

Question 26

Should you walk while recording?

Answer 26

No. Record only when not moving. Recording should be slow and deliberate.

Question 27

When should video recording be done?

Answer 27

Prior to searching the scene or moving evidence.

Question 28

Surveillance

Answer 28

Mode: P
ISO: Sun: 100+, Night: 800+
Lens: 105+
Focus: A/M
Meter: Matrix Spot

Question 29

Crime Scene (Documentation)

Answer 29

Mode: P
ISO: 100-400
Lens: 18-55
Focus: A
Meter: Matrix

Question 30

Exam Quality (Forensic)

Answer 30

Mode: A/M
ISO: 100 ONLY
Lens: MACRO 60/105
Focus: M
Meter: Matrix