INTRODUCTION TO

FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTOGRAPHY
➢is the art of producing images of objects on sensitized
surfaces by the chemical action of light with the aid of an
image forming device known as camera and the chemical
processes involved therein.

➢The word “photography” came from the Greek words

photos (“light”) and graphein (“to draw”) which literally
means “light writing”.

➢Sir John F.W. Herschel in 1839

Photograph- combined mechanical and chemical result of
photography.
FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY- field covering the legal
application of photography in criminal jurisprudence and
criminal investigation. It is that branch of forensic science
dealing with the:
➢Study of fundamental but pragmatic principles/concepts of
photography
➢Application of photograph in law enforcement
➢Preparation of photographic evidence needed by the
prosecutors and courts of law.
POLICE PHOTOGRAPHY- the study of general practices,
methods and steps in taking pictures of the crime scene,
physical things, and other circumstances that can be used as
criminal evidence or for law enforcement purposes.

Fields of Photography Significant in Police Work

➢Photomicrography - the process of photographing minute
objects when magnified by means of the microscope and
enlarged 10 times (10x) or larger
➢Photo macrography - the process of photographing objects
that are directly enlarged at the negatives and magnified up to
9X only
➢Infra-red Photography - the technique of photographing or
recording unseen objects by means of infra-red light and infra-
red film; example is the practice of photographing charred or
burnt materials & overwritten texts
➢Ultraviolet Photography - the technique of photographing
unseen objects by the use of ultra violet light and filters;
example is the process of photographing overwritten text and
marked money
➢X-ray Photography - X-ray photography involves the
process of photographing or recording internal structure of the
human body
Importance of photography in law enforcement
➢For records
➢For identification
➢For preservation
➢For substitution
➢Extension of man’s visual limitations
➢For communication
Kinds of photography
➢Finger print photography
➢Questioned Document Photography
➢Firearms identification photography
➢Legal medicine photography
➢Surveillance photography
➢Traffic accident photography
➢Micro-photography
➢Photo macrography
➢Photo Micrography
➢Infrared photography
➢Ultraviolet photography
➢Motion picture photography
➢Industrial photography
➢Commercial photography
➢Legal photography
LIGHT
is the radiant energy that makes things visible. There are many kinds
of radiant energy, including infrared rays, radio waves, ultraviolet
rays, and X rays. We can see only a tiny part of all the different kinds
of radiant energy, which is called visible light or simply light. It is
composed of elementary particles called photons.
Main sources of light utilized in producing a photograph
Natural (sunlight)
Bright sunlight
Hazy sunlight
Dull sunlight
Artificial
(manmade)
Mediums of Light- are objects that influence the intensity of
light as they may reflect, absorb, or transmit light; mediums of
light maybe classified as:
CAMERA- refers to a light tight (proof) box with a
means of forming the image (lens or pinhole), with a
means of holding sensitized material at one end (film-
holder), and with a means of controlling the amount of
light needed to affect the film at the other end (shutter).
It is a box designed to keep out all light except the light
allowed by the photographer.
VISIBLE LIGHT
The human eye only record light having wave length from 400
to 700 millimicrons, with this range, rays of different wave
length produce different color sensation when they strike the
human eye. The possibility of separating light into its
component fragnancies was first recognized by Newton. A
narrow beam of light from the sun was allowed to pass through
a glass prism and fall on a white and the result was the different
color in this different wave length.
Characteristics of Light
1. Wave Theory- light travels in wave pattern from its source
continuously.

2. Quantum Theory- light travels in quanta and discontinuously.

Wave- is any phenomenon having a periodic disturbance of some sort
that travels outwards from its source.
Wave length- the distance measured between two successive crest or
through of a wave.

Crest- highest peak of the wave

Trough- lowest peak of the wave
Unit of wave length- Armstrong Unit
1 millimicron is equal to 1 millionth of 1 millimeter
(nanometer) = (1/1,000,000)
Take note:
➢The longer the wave length- the slower the frequency, the
lower the temperature. (-freq. & -temp.)
➢The shorter the wave length- the faster the frequency, the
higher the temperature. (+freq. & +temp.)
• The frequency of a light wave is how many wavelengths
pass by a fixed point in one second.
 INTRODUCTION TO LIE
DETECTION TECHNIQUES
POLYGRAPHY- from Greek words “poly” (many or more) and
“graphos” (writing) is defined as the scientific deception
detection with the aid of a polygraph machine.

POLYGRAPH- (deceptograph, Lie-detector, or the Pneumo-

Galvo-Sphygmo-Cardio-graph) an instrument or device capable
of recording bodily changes occurring in the blood-
pressure/pulse rates, respiration, and the electrical properties of
the skin (or the galvanic-skin-reflex or GSR), which are
indicative of emotional excitement, especially of lying, when
questioned.
MAJOR PARTS OF THE POLYGRAPH
PNEUMOGRAPH GALVANOGRAPH
CARDIOGRAPH KYMOGRAPH
DECEPTION- act of deceiving or misleading which is usually
accompanied by lying.
DECEIT- (deceitfulness) is a dishonest practice referring to an act or
practice of deceiving or misleading somebody. It is something that is
done to trick or mislead somebody.
LYING- uttering or conveying falsehood or creating a false or
misleading impression with the intention of wrongfully affecting the
acts, opinion or affection of another. It can be accompanied verbally or
by acts or other means by which man may be able to get the desired
results.
Liar
Lie
TYPES OF LIES
Law enforcement and criminal investigation books
classify lies in this manner:
a. Direct denial - a lie that results to emotional
disturbance
b. Lie of omission - the type of lie commonly used
because it is easy to tell
c. Lie of exaggeration - the type of lie used by a person
who overplays what actually happened
d. Lie of minimization - involves acceptance of a person
that something happened but downplays the
implication or seriousness of the offense.
e. Fabricated lie - also called lie of fabrication, is the
type of lie that is most difficult to use
f. Red lie - sometimes called misinformation, is a lie in
the form of information that is seemingly valuable but is
intended to destroy a political belief or ideology. Red lie
is better known in politics as propaganda.
g. Malicious lie - a chronic (constant) lie that is
intended to mislead justice. It is usually in the form of a
pure dishonest statement for the purpose of obstructing
justice.
TYPES OF LIARS
a. Panic liar - a person who panics when questioned about
his involvement concerning a crime but immediately
denies the truth to avoid shame or humiliation that it might
cause to his family. A panic liar decides to circumvent the
truth in order to avoid humiliating consequences of his
confession to himself or to his family.
b. Occupational liar - an individual whose job is to tell lies
and deceive other people. One who is being paid to tell
lies. He is a practical liar - he will tell lies if doing it
provides a higher pay-off than telling the truth.
c. Tournament liar - a person who uses the act of lying to test
his ability and prove to his self that he is capable of deceiving
the police or authorities. One who is gratified by telling lies to
mislead others. His view is that telling lies is one form of
contest.

d. Ethnological liar - a person trained to lie. Members of

intelligence agencies are good examples of this category of
liars.
e. Psychopathic liar - an individual who has no
conscience thus capable of lying to the point of causing
death to other people.

f. Pathological liar - a sick person who tells lies simply

because he cannot distinguish what is right from what is
wrong.

g. Black liar - one who enjoys pretending. A liar of this

type is also known as hypocrite.
DETECTION- act of discovering the existence or presence of
something hidden or obscured.
EMOTION- complex state of feelings involving conscious
experience, internal and external physical responses, and
power to motivate the organism to action.
STIMULUS- force or motion reaching the organism from the
environment and excites the receptors.
REACTION- any activity aroused in an organism by a
stimulus, which is of mental process.
RESPONSE- any reaction, usually of muscular or glandular
processes, that depends on simulation.
SPECIFIC RESPONSE- one that is exhibited by the subject
to a particular question, which is deviation from his norm.

SUBJECT- refers to any person undergoing polygraph

examination.

POLYGRAPH EXAMINER- one conducting the polygraph

test or examination.

POLYGRAPH TEST or POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION-

whole process of questioning or the taking of one chart from a
series of questions or all of the charts and question sheets used
in the test.
Part of a polygraph examination
1. Pre-test- the polygraph examiner will complete required
paper work and discuss the test questions so that the examine
fully understands each question in advance of taking the
polygraph. The examiner will also explain the polygraph
testing process and answer any questions or concerns
2. In-test- or chart collection phase takes place in a quiet room
with no one else present to distract the examinee. The
polygraph examiner will attach sensors to the person and asks
yes or no questions that have been previously discussed. Data
is collected from the sensors in the form of polygraph charts.
Polygraph examiners may use conventional instruments,
sometimes referred to as analog instruments, or computerized
polygraph instruments.
3. Post-Test- following the test, the examiner will analyze the
charts and render an opinion as to the truthfulness of the person
taking the test. The examiner, when appropriate, will offer the
examinee an opportunity to explain physiological reactions in
relation to one or more questions asked during the test.

POLYGRAPH CHART/POLYGRAM/CHART/GRAPH-
recorded tracings of all the emotional patterns permanently on
the charts or graphs from series of questions.
Known methods of deception detection
A. Ancient methods- practiced during ancient times with the
belief that their gods will save them and prove their innocence.
Some examples are:
1. Red-hot iron ordeal- placing of
hot iron onto the tongue of suspects
and guilt is established when tongue
gets burn or blister, if tongue is dry
the suspect is guilty as dryness is a
sign of nervousness.
2. Ordeal by rice chewing- (India) it is performed with a kind
of rice called sathee, prepared with various incantations. The
person on trial eats the sathee, with the face to the east and then
spits it upon a pea leaf. If saliva is mixed with blood or the
corner of his mouth swells or he trembles, he is declared to be a
liar.
3. Ordeal by combat- the aggrieved party claimed to right to fight the
alleged offender or to pay a champion to fight for him. The victor is said
to win
not by his own strength but
because of supernatural powers
that had intervene on the side
of the right. If still alive after
the combat, the loser might be
hanged or burned for a criminal
offense or have a hand cut off
and property confiscated in
civil actions.
4. Boiling water ordeal- by plunging the suspect’s feet into
the giant pot full of boiling water, if suspect gets burned, he is
guilty, as guilt is indicated due to sweating and nervousness.
5. Ordeal by heat and fire- the accused walked barefooted
over coals of fire, or was made to walk through fire, if he was
unharmed by the fire he was considered innocent.
B. Observation methods
Through facial expressions such as:
1. Dilation of the eyes, protrusion of eyeballs, and elevation of
upper eyelids
2. Squinting of the eyes (showing envy, disdain, distrust, etc.)
3. Twitching of the lips
4. Excessive winking of the eyes
5. Failure to look the inquirer “straight to the eye”
6. Excessive activity of the Adam’s apple and the vein at the
temple due to dryness of throat and mouth
7. Quivering of nose or nostrils
8. A peculiar monotone of the voice
9. A forced laugh
10.Rolling of eyeballs from one direction to another
Through postural reactions, such as:
1. Fidgeting, sapping, or drumming of fingers on the chair or
pother surfaces
2. 2Swinging of legs, or of one leg over the other
3. Unnecessary movements of hands and feet (like scratching,
nail-biting, thumb or finger sucking, etc.)
4. Pulsation of the carotid artery in the neck
5. Incoherence, trembling and sweating of the whole
body

Through cause and effect process, such as:

1. Stimulus-reaction test
2. Stimulus response test
C. Regular police methods
1. The “Five Wives and One Husband” (“5W’s and 1H”)
What?, Who?, When?, Where?, Why? and How?
2. The “Three Eyes” (3 I’s) which stands for:
➢Information- gathering through records check, surveillance,
background investigation, and intelligence check
➢Investigation- through interview and interrogation, and
through confession and admission
➢Instrumentation- through he different investigative sciences
(criminalistics)
Difference between Interview and Interrogation
INTERVIEW INTERROGATION
1. Nature is voluntary 1. Process is compulsory
2. Witness may or may not 2. Suspect should answer the
answer the question question
3. Mode: merely asking 3. Technique: questions should be
questions propounded to the suspect
4. Answers or statements may be 4. Answers are very important
necessary to the case, or not either as confession or
5. Subjects are often victims or admission
witnesses 5. Subjects are always the suspects
Difference between admission and confession
It is a self-incriminatory It is a declaration of facts
statement of facts by the directly acknowledging the
accused, that does not truth of the guilt as charged,
directly acknowledge the or of some essential part of
offense committed, with the commission of the
which he is being charged. criminal act itself.
D. Hypnotism method
The basis of hypnotism is
through the recovered memory
by the use of increased
dissociated functions, hyper-
amnesia, and at times
regressive and para-regressive
experiences. The subject, who
is not actually asleep but at
complete comfortable state of
relaxation and that he would be
doing whatever the hypnotists
may tell him to do.
E. Word Association Test method (WAT)
This process is done by giving
the subject a long list of
carefully selected stimulus
words or objects with other
pictures interspersed with other
irrelevant words, objects or
pictures with the instruction to
respond with the very first word
that may come to subject’s
mind. The theory behind this is
that one word or idea is
reflective of another word or
idea and the expression of their
association forms a meaningful
picture.
F. Truth-Serum test/ intoxication method
This method involves the intravenous injection or oral
taking of various drugs, such as hyoscine bromide,
morphine, ether, chloroform, sodium amytal and
scopolamine, which may produce a condition of
anesthesia. It has been said that if correct dosage is
administered and the expected influence resulted, the
subject will answer by experiencing temporary removal
of his will-power, self-preservation instinct and the
reasoning power. He may disclose everything without
evasiveness.