Saint Joseph College

CRIMINOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Maasin City, Southern Leyte

MODULE 1

Forensic 1
FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY

Prepared By

Suzanne L. Sandoval , RCRIM

 CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this chapter, the student will be able to:

• Define photography, police photography and forensic photography;

• Describe the police photographer;
• Explain the significance of photography in law enforcement and police work; and
• Enumerate the duties and functions of a forensic photographer.

What is Photography?

The word photography is derived from the Greek words” photos” (light) and “graphos” means
(writing). The term, therefore , means “writing with light”. (Lynch-John & Perkins, 2008)

Photography involves the creation of an image using light. It is the art or process of producing
images of objects by action of light on a sensitized surface with the aid of an image-forming device
known as a camera and the chemical process involved therein.

Commercial Photographer – beauty and artistry

Press Photographer – Visual impact and sensationalism

ESSENTIALS OF PHOTOGRAPHY

• Light- is an electromagnetic energy that travels in a form of a wave with the speed of 186,000
miles per second
• Camera – a light box designed to block unwanted or unnecessary light from reaching the
sensitized material.
• Lens- is the light gathering mechanisms of the camera

What is Police Photography?

Police Photography refers to the use of a camera and videos for law enforcement purpose such as
documenting physical evidence and crimes scenes, or recording interrogations , traffic stops,
surveillance , public thoroughfares, traffic accidents and still images of arrested individuals (Miller ,
2007). In short, it is the art or science that deals with the study of principles of photography and its
application of police work.

Police photography - mostly involves the documentation of crime scenes and injuries.

Police photographer

Police photographer needs knowledge and skill of how a camera records visual and audio
components. He must also know how to record images at invisible ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR)
wavelengths. Further, he must be familiar with certain techniques such as close-up photography(or
macrophotography), the effective use of a flash, and the specialized use of camera in conditions with
limited ambient lighting (night-time photography).

Forensic Photography

Forensic photography more specifically involve the process of recording the crime scene or any
object for court presentation. It refers to the recording of objects and scenes to be used for and within
the legal process. These photographs have the potential to provide information that can be used
evidence (Spring 2007).

Any photograph maybe considered “forensic” if it adds information required by the court and can be
admitted as evidence.

For example, the investigation on the terrorist attacks in the USA on September 11, 2201 involved the
use of photos taken not only by forensic photographers. Newspaper reporters , television camera crews,
street photographers and others caught up in the disaster also contributed photographs that served as
evidence.

Forensic Photographer

Forensic photographer however , have specific technical knowledge not only in photography but
also in forensic science and laws pertaining to the use of photographs as evidence .

For Example : They understand how images cane be used to determine measurements of
distance, dimensions or location. Simply taking photographs of an object at a crime scene is
not enough for a thorough analysis. Forensic photographers maybe able to disclose forensic
detail that is normally invisible through the use of ultraviolet or infrared wavelengths. These
photographs must demonstrate a fair and accurate representation of the scene, object,
situation or event relative to the crime(Spring, 2007)

Exactness, truthfulness, faithfulness

It is for this primary reason that one who will pursue a career i forensic photography must have broad
knowledge of its theoretical background before going into continuous actual practice to gain
experience and establish credibility and competence.

Forensic Photographers should document every aspect of creating the photographs, including details
of equipment /materials, processing and printing information as well as noting time, conditions,
distances, scales or size, and the like. They should be guided with strict procedures and protocols.
(Spring , 2007) . She enumerated the following questions that forensic scientist must consider in defining
forensic photographs :

• Do they tell a complete story?

• Are they unbiased and objective approach to the subject or scene?
• Are they of sufficient quality to be analyzed?
• Have all technical data been recorded?
• Can the photographer explain in court how the photographs were taken and offer assistance in
their interpretations?
• Are post-production methods clearly outlined?

Significance of Photography in Police Work and Law Enforcement

People take photographs for all sorts of reasons. The photos serve a social function: as reminder of
vacations and loved ones by freezing moments in their own history for recall in years to come.

In law enforcement work, photography serves four primary functions:

1. As a mean of identification
Personal Identification is considered to be the first application of photography in police work.
Alphonse Bertillion was the first police who utilized photography in police work as supplementary
identification in his anthropometry system.
2. As a method of discovering, recording, and preserving evidence
3. As a way to present in the court room an impression of the pertinent elements of a crime.
For Court Exhibits
Almost all evidence presented in court before formally accepted requires that they satisfy
the basic requirements for admissibility which are relevancy and competency. A question of
relevancy is usually proved by proving the origin of the evidence and its relation to the case
and this is usually supplemented by photograph of the evidence giving reference as to where it
came from.
Evidence presented in court once accepted became known as exhibit. Either exhibit 1,2,3,
etc. for the defense or Exhibit A,B,C etc for the prosecution
4. As a training and public relations medium for police programs
 One of the most critical of these function is presenting photographs in court that can aid in
determination of the truth respecting a matter of fact. Evidence that cannot be brought inside the
courtroom can be represented by means of photographs. It is crucial , however , that the photographs
to be admitted as evidence in court are faithful representation of the original. It means the same
likeness and accurateness as seen by the naked eye.

Below are further uses of photography in police work.

1. It serves as evidence
2. It preserves all pieces of evidence
3. It refreshes the mind of the investigator
4. It records the illegal activities and identifies of criminals.
5. It is useful in personal identification as well as in the identification of missing persons, wanted
persons, and stolen or lost properties.
6. It records all things that an investigator may fail to notice.
7. It assists the court in understanding the case.
8. It helps reconstruct the crime scene
9. It helps the expert witness in illustrating their findings
10. It supplements, explains, and replaces descriptive testimony of witnesses.
11. It serves as lecture materials and illustrations during personnel training
12. It also serves to reproduce and copy documents.
With the use of photography, any number of reproduction of the evidence can be made those
giving unlimited opportunity for its examination and even allowing other experts of person to
examine the specimen without compromising the original.

THE PNP Forensic Photography Division

The Philippine National Police (PNP) Crime Laboratory has its own Forensic Photography Division
whose personnel perform the following functions/capabilities:

1. Photograph suspects and crime victims for personal identification

2. Photograph evidence submitted to the laboratory before examination;
3. Conduct crime scene photography
4. Conduct sketching
5. Conduct comparative examination and analysis of questioned photographs against known
photographs;
6. Conduct lectures to different police/military training institutions , government agencies and
public/private schools upon request;
7. Reproduce photographs and other printed materials
8. Sketch facial features of suspects based on actual description by the witness or victim for
identification; and
9. Attend court duties.

The PNP’s crime scene photographers follow the following standard operating procedures(SOP):
 1. A crime photographer must be on duty at the Forensic Photography Division on call whenever
photographic assistance is needed.
2. The crime scene photographer must be knowledgeable of the crime committed/reported to
enable him to determine the equipment and materials to bring along to the crime scene.
These equipment and materials may include digital and film-based cameras with the wide
angle and normal lens, tripod, , flash unit, flood light, measuring tools, data board, pencil and
rolls of film (colored and monochrome)
3. The crime scene photographer should record in the photography division’s record book all the
detail of the incident/crime responded before and after Scene of the Crime Operation(SCOCO)
and Field Laboratory Work (FLW) responses, including the type of camera and film used. Right
after the operation he must immediately process the exposed film and print the negative for
filling and presentation in court.
4. The responding crime scene photographer should check and ensure the serviceability of his
equipment and strictly observed the steps and procedures applicable for every scene, including
measurements and identification.

References:
1. Bulan, ME., (2017), Police photography, 2nd, Quezon City : ChapterHouse Publishing
2. Sammons, J, (2017), Digital forensics trial graphics : teaching the jury through effective use of
visuals, Amsterdam : Elsevier
3. Miller, MT., (2014), Crime scene investigation laboratory manual, Amsterdam : Academic Press
4. Sammons, J., (2015), The basics of digital forensics, 2n