NCJ Number
48048
Date Published
1978
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS SLIDE AND CASSETTE PRESENTATION OFFERS GUIDELINES FOR POLICE PHOTOGRAPHERS TAKING PICTURES AT THE SCENES OF VARIOUS TYPES OF CRIME.
Abstract
PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE IN PROPER FORM IS OFTEN MORE RELIABLE THAN EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY. SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS ARE OFFERED FOR OBTAINING EVIDENCE FOR THE VARIOUS TYPES OF CRIME. IN BURGLARY CASES, PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING CAN DEPICT THE POINT AND MANNER OF ENTRY AND POSSIBLY TOOLS USED FOR ENTRY. CLOSEUP PHOTOGRAPHS SHOULD SHOULD BE TAKEN OF AVAILABLE TRACE EVIDENCE SUCH AS SCRAPS OF CLOTHING, MATCHBOOKS, AND FOOTPRINTS. IN CASES INVOLVING AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS, PHOTOGRAPHERS SHOULD ARRIVE AT THE SCENE QUICKLY SO THAT NORMAL TRAFFIC PATTERNS CAN BE RESUMED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE POSITION OF THE VEHICLES MAY INDICATE CARELESSNESS OR LOSS OF CONTROL ON THE PART OF ONE OR MORE OF THE DRIVERS INVOLVED. THEY MAY ESTABLISH THE PRESENCE OF PHYSICAL ILLNESS OR INTOXICATION AS THE CAUSE OF CARELESSNESS OR THEY MAY SHOW THAT ONE OR MORE OF THE VEHICLES CONTAINED FAULTY MECHANISMS. PHOTOGRAPHS SHOULD BE TAKEN FROM VARIOUS ANGLES TO ATTEMPT TO RECONSTRUCT THE EVENT. IN CASES INVOLVING THE DEATH OF A VICTIM, CLOSEUPS SHOULD BE TAKEN OF THE CONDITION AND POSITION OF THE BODY AND AGAIN OF ANY TRACE EVIDENCE THAT IS PRESENT. SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS ARE OFFERED ALSO FOR CASES INVOLVING HANGINGS, DROWNINGS, AND ELECTROCUTIONS. THE PHOTOGRAPHER IS ADVISED TO WORK WITH THE POLICE INVESTIGATOR CONCERNING PHOTOGRAPHS THAT ARE PERTINENT TO THE CASE. FOR OTHER PRESENTATIONS IN THE SERIES, SEE NCJ-48049 AND 48050. (BAC)