Photography News

Careers that use Photography: Police Department

August 23, 2012 by David Lye

Today, it’s difficult to imagine not having a camera. After all, nearly every cell phone has a camera inside, and everywhere you travel, you’re likely to see people with cameras and other photographic equipment at their fingertips. On TV, you see cameras all the time, especially on crime shows. Cameras are vital in crime scene investigations today, but do you know when photography was first used as a crime scene investigative tool?

One of the first documented cases of photography being used in a crime scene was during the Jack the Ripper investigation in the East End suburb of Whitechapel in London 1888. Of course, you may laugh today to realize that photographs were often taken of the victim because it was believed that a reflection of the killer could be seen in the eyes of the victim. Today, crime scene and evidence photography is a vital part of the documentation of crime scenes.

Photography and crime scene investigation can be broken down into a number of specialties, including bloodstain photography, close-up photography for evidence, digital photography, emerging photography trends utilizing computer software and technologies, as well as what’s called the multiple exposure method for fingerprint digital photography. Photographing a fire scene involves different skills than photographing a victim at a crime scene.

Crime scene investigators today utilize a variety of photography techniques including infrared photography, laser or alternate light source photography, as well as black and white film and filters. As you can see, it’s not exactly “black-and-white”! The crime scene investigator utilizing photography as an investigative tool must know the difference between a normal lens, a wide-angle lens and close-up lenses. Electronic flashes, filters, and how to care and maintain crime scene photography equipment is vital.

For those interested in crime scene investigation, never underestimate or overlook the potential and power of photography when it comes to recording and preserving a crime scene. Crime scene technicians must learn how to match film to the light source, be aware of their film speed, and know when to use color film versus black-and-white film.

The field of crime scene investigative photography is fascinating and three-dimensional. Anyone interested in the field should take the time to research the history of forensic photography from the late 1800s to the present; the tools, technologies, software and equipment used today by police departments and investigative organizations around the globe.

David Lye is co-founder of Photographers.com.au, keen amateur photographer, and avid blogger.

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