NCJ Number
213059
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 56 Issue: 1 Dated: January/February 2006 Pages: 6-17
Date Published
January 2006
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This article examines the effectiveness of the tilt and shift lens (TS lens) for forensic photography.
Abstract
Results of four scenarios in which a TS lens was used to photograph evidence at crime scenes indicate that the TS lens is effective in overcoming the limitations of a normal lens. The TS lens was useful in three situations: (1) photographing shoeprint evidence on reflective surfaces (metal framed mirror); (2) photographing an imprint on a partially concealed surface; and (3) photographing from difficult positions. The tilt function was seen to be especially useful in situations in which the image to be photographed was not parallel to the plane of a normal lens. The research methodology involved photographing forensic evidence under four types of difficult conditions: (1) photographing a shoeprint on a reflective surface; (2) photographing a partial glove print in a shielded area; (3) photographing blood stain evidence on a wall; and (4) photographing evidence along a path. Future research is being conducted on barrel distortion with TS lenses. Reference, figures, appendix