June 2009

FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY

Forensic photography (sometimes referred to as forensic imaging or crime scene photography) is the art of producing an accurate reproduction of an accident scene for the benefit of a court or to aid in the investigation. It is part of the process of evidence collecting. It provides investigators with photos of bodies, places and items involved in the death. Pictures of accidents show broken machinery, or a car crash, and so on. Photography of this kind involves choosing correct lighting, accurate angling of lenses, and a collection of different viewpoints.

Most photographs taken by Deputies/Investigators of the Ada County Coroner’s Office at the scene of death usually include the following:

Room in which the body was found
Physical location of the death scene if outdoors (street, highway, etc.)
Adjoining rooms, hallways, stairwells
Body from five angles
Clothing, bedding, personal items such as wallets, purses, etc.
Close-up of body wounds (bruises, bite marks, gunshot entrance/exit, knife, etc.)
Weapons (Guns, all instruments used to inflict trauma/wounds)
Close up of surgical incisions (Hospital Cases – Emergency Medical Intervention)
Trace evidence (including drug paraphernalia, alcohol and medication containers)
Newspapers, mail (to determine date of death if unknown)
Signs of activity prior to the death (food prepared/not eaten, clothing near death scene, TV/Radio on, lights on/off, doors locked/unlocked, mail in mailbox, etc.)
Evidence of a struggle (if trauma or foul play related death)
View from positions witnesses had at time of the crime
Vehicle/Machinery (Motorcycles, automobiles, bicycles, airplanes, trucks, etc.)
Face of subject photographed with ID Tag with name and date.
Autopsy Procedure Photographs.