Crime Scene Photography Flashcards
What is a photo identifier?
The first photo taken which states:
- case number -address/location
- date/time -the photographer name
What is a labeled scale?
A scale that contains the info from the photo identifier
Where should a scale be positioned?
They should be in the same plane as the evidence.
Why is it important to have a scale in the same plane as the eveidence?
Because if it isn’t the image will show a skewed measurement.
What does fill the frame mean?
make the primary subject as large as possible
What should be avoided to have good photo composition?
- clutter
- unnecessary detail
- distractions in image
How do you clear unnecessary foreground elements?
tilt the camera up
How do you clear unnecessary background elements?
tilt the camera down
How do you eliminate distractions on the left and right of a photo?
Switch to a vertical photograph
How do you avoid shadows?
block the sun with your body or another person
What is a flash shadow?
a shadow made from the camera flash
What is a hard shadow?
flash produced shadows that are so dark detail cannot be seen in shadowed area
What is a soft shadow?
the shadow is still present but details can be seen in the shadowed area
What is lens flare?
when the sun is positioned in front of the photographer and sunlight is coming directly into the lens and reflecting
What is a lens hood?
an attachment for the camera that blocks the sun rays
What is natural perspective?
photographer is standing at full, natural height, viewing the scene or area as anyone would have seen it if they were standing there too
What is aerial photography?
images captured while standing on bridges or buildings while looking down at crime scene below
What should be done if the subjects exit path is found?
the path should be photographed and followed as it might lead to dropped evidence
What should be done after exterior overall photos?
document all paths from doors and windows towards areas within the structure where items have been disturbed
What is considered “normal” focal length?
50mm
What is an extension tube?
a supplemental lens that fits between the camera body and normal lens
How many close-ups should you take for each piece of evidence?
at least 2
One without scale and one with a fully labeled scale
What steps should be taken when photographing a wound/bruise?
Take a midrange of the body part where the wound/bruise is and then take 2 close ups one with and without scale.
How do you photograph a body?
Photograph the body from all 4 sides (heel to crown, crown to heel, right, and left sides)
5th photo taken is of the full face
What should your lens setting (focal length) be for a face photograph?
100-120 mm and keep camera back to avoid enlarging the facial features
What is depth of field (DOF)?
the variable range from foreground to background, of what appears to in sharp focus
What F/stop setting provide the best DOF?
F/stops with smallest aperture
What lens (focal length) has the best DOF?
wide angle lens
How does distance from camera to subject effect DOF?
camera farther- longer DOF
camera closer- shorter DOF
If the light is bright should your aperture be small or large?
bright light=smaller opening
darker light= larger opening
How is aperture denoted?
f/stop numbers
What does f/stop refer to?
the intensity of light striking the film surface NOT a specific diameter of lens aperture opening
Which aperture setting is a larger opening, f/32 or f/1.8?
f/1.8
the smaller the f/stop number the larger the opening
What is shutter speed?
the length of time light passes through the lens to strike the film
Which shutter speed is faster, 1/250th or 1/60th?
1/250th because it is a smaller number
What denotes film speed?
ISO number
If the ISO is higher how does that effect film sensitivity?
The film will be more sensitive to light
What would be the best ISO setting on a sunny day?
100
What would be the best ISO setting for nighttime or indoors?
400
What 3 things effect DOF?
focal length
aperture
distance from object
What does it mean to bracket an image?
To take a properly exposed photo and then 2 subsequent photos from the same POV but 1 is intentionally overexposed and 1 is intentionally underexposed
Why would you bracket an image?
1) lighting at scene may be problematic and exposure might not be “proper”
2) when the subject is candidate for examination quality image
What types of flash lighting can be used?
Bounced
direct
diffused
