NCJ Number
58833
Date Published
1978
Length
0 pages
Annotation
POLICE PHOTOGRAPHY, AS A VALUABLE TOOL IN CRIME INVESTIGATION, IS DISCUSSED, AND METHODS FOR OBTAINING ACCURATE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE PRESENTED IN THIS AUDIO CASSETTE WITH SLIDES.
Abstract
POLICE PHOTOGRAPHY IS BOTH AN ART AND A SCIENCE, AND ITS PRODUCT CAN BE VALUABLE IN ASSISTING THE JURY IN CRIMINAL TRIALS. IT IS NECESSARY FOR A POLICE PHOTOGRAPHER TO UNDERSTAND THE ELEMENTS OF COMPOSITION, LIGHTING, POINT OF VIEW AND PERSPECTIVE. A PROFICIENT PHOTOGRAPHER MUST BE EXPERIENCED IN THE HANDLING AND CARE OF CAMERAS AND ATTACHMENTS. PHOTOGRAPHS ARE USEFUL FOR THE PRESENTATION OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE IN A CASE. THEY ALLOW FOR THE DISPLAY OF LARGE OBJECTS WHICH COULD NOT BE BROUGHT INTO COURT AND FOR THE PRESERVATION OF PERISHABLE EXHIBITS. PHOTOGRAPHS AID THE RECOLLECTION OF WITNESSES AND OFFICER A TRAINED POLICE PHOTOGRAPHER SHOULD BE USED FOR EVIDENCE COLLECTION, TO INSURE PICTURES WHICH ARE NOT DISTORTED. EFFECTIVE AND RELIABLE PHOTOGRAPHS CAN BE OBTAINED BY SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZE POLICE DEPARTMENTS, USING BASIC 35MM SINGLE LENS REFLEX SYSTEMS. THE PURCHASING OF THE PROPER CAMERA IS DEPENDENT UPON THE TYPE OF PHOTOGRAPHS REQUIRED; THE ADVANTAGES OF VARIOUS CAMERA AND LENS COMBINATIONS ARE PRESENTED. CRITERIA OF CAMERA SIZE, MOBILITY, AND FLEXIBILITY ARE DISCUSSED. TECHNIQUES FOR THE USE OF RANGEFINDERS AND LIGHT METERS ARE OUTLINED. IN CHOOSING A CAMERA, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT SHOULD CONSIDER THE CAMERA'S REPUTATION FOR DURABILITY. IN STORAGE, THE CAMERA SHOULD BE PROTECTED FROM DUST AND HEAT. BATTERIES SHOULD BE FREQUENTLY REPLACED. ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION CONCERNS METHODS OF PHOTOGRAPHY. (TWK)