Chapter 1 Historical Background Flashcards
derived from Greek words, “photo or phos” which means light and
“graphy or graphos or graphien”, which means to draw or writing. Thus literally,
photography means “to draw with light”. (Sarmiento, n.d.) (Claro, n.d.)
Photography
Photography is the art of taking pictures. (Claro, n.d.)
As an Art
Photography is the study concerning the duplication of images
through the action of light, upon sensitized materials (photographic paper or film)with the aid of mechanical device (camera) and its accessories, and the chemical
processes (film developing and printing) involved therein. (Agas et al., 2009) (Claro, n.d.)
As a Science
Photography is the technology geared towards the reproduction
of images by using the action of light on a sensitive surface (photographic film) with
the help of an image forming device (camera) and the chemical process (developing
and printing) involved therein. (Claro, n.d.)
As a Technology
Photography is the method of using light to produce identical image
of an object that can be preserved permanently by employing
As a Process
to RAF (regulate, absorb and filter) light
Camera
to record light. (Claro, n.d.)
Film (sensitized material)
refers to the chemical, mechanical or electronic product of photography. (Sarmiento, n.d.)
Photograph
refers to technical concepts and principles which
includes:
a. characteristics of photographic rays;
b. the use of camera;
e. structure of film and photographic papers; chemical processing and;
g. others. (Pallista, 2019)
Technical Photography
a. The study of general practices, methods or techniques of taking pictures of the crime scene, physical evidences and other circumstances that can be used as evidences or for law enforcement purposes.
b. The field that focuses on the practical application of the science of photography in police work or law enforcement operations.
c. The field that deals with systematic crime scene photography and mug file
preparation, including scientific techniques of photography physical evidences and other objects and images that need to be reproduced and preserved for law enforcement purpose. (Claro, n.d.)
Police Photography
refers to the field covering the legal application of
photography in criminal jurisprudence and criminal investigation. It is the branch of forensic science, sometimes called criminalistics, dealing with the:
a. Study of fundamental but pragmatic principles of photography.
b. Application of photography in law enforcement; and
c. Preparation of photographic evidences needed by prosecutors and courts of law. (Claro, n.d.)
Forensic Photography
- To produce a pictorial record of everything pertaining to the crime.
- To help in keeping the police officer’s memory accurately as possible as to where
he find things. - To help in securing and obtaining confession, disposition and information
relating to the case.
Objectives of Police Photography (Pallista, 2019)
- Small objects but of great importance in a crime committed may escape in the first phase of examination by the investigator but maybe seen and recorded on the photograph.
- A good photograph of the scene is a permanent record which is always available especially in court presentation, in court proceedings, fiscals and defense lawyers have generally never visited the scene of the crime.
- As a general rule, take many photograph of the crime scene and select the best.
- Used as an aid by the investigator to describe in court some of the details of the crime scene they have investigated several months ago, the small details and exact locations of objects.
- To assist the investigators in using photographic equipment and techniques in their effort to solve crimes.
Importance of Forensic Photography (Pallista, 2019)
Space – the where of the crime (locus criminis)
b. Time – the when of the crime
c. Event – the what of the crime (what is the nature or character of the
crime)
Photographs are necessary to preserve:
the where of the crime (locus criminis)
Space
the when of the crime
Time
the what of the crime (what is the nature or character of the
crime)
Event
- Photographs are necessary to preserve:
a. Space – the where of the crime (locus criminis)
b. Time – the when of the crime
c. Event – the what of the crime (what is the nature or character of the
crime) - Pictures allow police investigators to understand the element of the clarifying and
revealing what is not seen and understood upon the discovery of the crime. 3. Photograph is a great help in preserving the visual appearance of the crime. It
provides a permanent record of the facts of the crime.
Significance of Photography in Law Enforcement and Criminal Investigation
this is the very first use of photography in police work. It is used to identify criminals, missing persons, lost property, licenses, anonymous letters, bank checks, laundry marks, and the civilian or personnel fingerprint identification.
Identification
crime scenes, traffic accidents, homicides, suicides, fires, objects of evidence, latent fingerprints, evidential traces can frequently be improved by contrast control (lighting, film, and paper filters), by magnification (photography) or by invisible radiation (infra – red, ultraviolet, x – rays)
Evidence and Court exibits
surveillance, burglar traps, confessions, re – enactments of crime.
Offender detection
questionable checks and documents, evidential papers, photographs, official records and notices.
Reproduction or copying
photographs and films relating to police tactics, investigation techniques, mob control, and catastrophe situation.
Personal training
lectures, security clearance detection device, photos of hazardous fire conditions made when prevention inspection are made.
Crime and Fire Prevention Hazard
film pertaining to safety programs, juvenile delinquency, traffic education, public cooperation and civil defense.
Public relations
