NCJ Number
37713
Date Published
1976
Length
49 pages
Annotation
THIS BOOK EXPLAINS AND DEMONSTRATES MANY OF THE PHOTOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUES AND METHODS NECESSARY FOR THE EXAMINATION OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE IN CRIMINAL CASES AND FOR MANY OTHER LEGAL PROCESSES.
Abstract
PHOTOGRAPHIC ILLUSTRATIONS ARE PROVIDED FOR MANY OF THE DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES. THE FIRST SECTION DESCRIBES THE TYPES OF PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIALS (FILMS, CHEMICALS, PAPERS) AVAILABLE TO ACHIEVE THE WIDE VARIETY OF END-PRODUCTS THAT ARE NECESSARY IN FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY. THE NUANCES OF DIRECTIONALITY AND COLOR QUALITY ARE EXPLAINED IN THE SECTION ON LIGHTS AND LIGHTING. THE USE OF THE FLASH IS REVIEWED, INCLUDING THE BOUNCE FLASH AND 'PAINTING WITH LIGHT' TECHNIQUES (THE LATTER PERMITS THE USE OF MULTIPLE FLASHES WITH A SINGLE, LONG EXPOSURE TO ACHIEVE FULL ILLUMINATION OF A LARGE OBJECT). A SECTION ON FILTERS DESCRIBES THE TYPES OF FILTERS THAT ARE AVAILABLE AND THE SPECIAL EFFECTS THEY MAKE POSSIBLE. THE ADVANTAGES OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF CAMERAS ARE DISCUSSED. OTHER SECTIONS DEAL WITH CLOSE UP PHOTOGRAPHY, INFRARED AND ULTRAVIOLET TECHNIQUES, AND THE USE OF MOTION PICTURE CAMERAS. TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES ARE PRESENTED IN THE TWO SECTIONS THAT COVER CRIME-SCENE PHOTOGRAPHY AND THE PHOTOGRAPHING OF ARTICLES OF EVIDENCE. IN THE FORMER CASE THE PHOTOGRAPHER IS CAUTIONED TO BE COMPLETE IN HIS COVERAGE - THIS IS NECESSARY FOR SUCCESSFUL COURT PRESENTATION. ROUTINE PROCEDURES FOR PHOTOGRAPHING SMALL ITEMS OF EVIDENCE ARE PRESENTED ALONG WITH SPECIAL TECHNIQUES FOR FINGERPRINTS AND TRACE EVIDENCE. PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENT EXAMINATION PROCEDURES ARE ALSO EXPLAINED. THE FINAL SECTION DISCUSSES THE PREPARATION OF PRINTS AND COMPOSITE EXHIBITS, AND OBTAINING TRUE PERSPECTIVE IN PRINTS. AN INDEX AND A CROSS-REFERENCE BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE PROVIDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT) (SNI ABSTRACT)