Advanced Crime Scene Analysis

Crime Scene Photos
Crime scene photos become part of your notes for refreshing your memory
The SOCO officer in concert with his photographs and notes should be able describe
Date & Time
Weather
Direction of view
POE, POX, object of attack etc.
Exhibit location

Crime Scene Photos……..
Overall photographs should be taken of a scene prior to any search or examination
First photograph transient or short lived evidence (ie., f/w imp in snow, blood stain in rain)
Photograph each piece of evidence before handled or moved

Crime Scene Photos……..
Three main photos to think about
Overall location photo
Medium distance photo (easily recognized in relation to adjacent objects)
Close up view including a scale

Crime Scene Photos……..
In taking photographs include cardinal points to aid in later description of photos
Close up photos must always include a scale
Lens axis must be perpendicular if photographing any impression or other mark for comparison to a known exemplar

Angled Lighting for Three Dimensional Impressions, Fingerprint Close-ups, serial # plates etc.
Camera lens axis is perpendicular (90 ° ) to the surface
A white bounce card can be used to lighten shadows in a three dimensional impression
Flash is at an approximately 45 ° angle

Fingerprints
Photograph as close as the lens will allow to capture detail in the impression before applying lift tape
use a scale
lens axis 90° to impression surface
use electronic flash for illumination (employ angled lighting technique with off - camera flash gun)

Suggested Photos for Break & Enter
Overview
Point of Entry (POE), Point of Exit (POX)
Interior view of rooms entered by suspects (2 x wide angle views - diagonal corners)
Areas where articles were moved or handled
Exhibits, trace or physical evidence to be seized:
- location & orientation
- close-ups with scale where detail is important

Point of Entry - prior to exam

Point of Entry - latent impression

Point of Entry - latent impression

Latent Impression

Tires, Footwear, Toolmarks & Serial #s
Location & orientation view
Close-ups with scale positioned on the same plane as the impression
Lens axis 90° to the impression surface
Use electronic flash for illumination (employ angled lighting technique with off - camera flash)
Measuring tape can be used with a tire impression for continuity of overlapping photos

Robbery

Robbery - Fingerprint on counter

Robbery - Fingerprint on counter

Robbery - Fingerprint on counter

Robbery - Fingerprint on counter

Robbery - Fingerprint on counter

Recovered Stolen Property from a Stolen Van

Recovered Stolen Property from a Stolen Van

Assault Victims
Always obtain consent first - explain photos may be used in court - respect their dignity
Consider presence of a witness
Use 18% grey scale
Use flash - consider diffusion, or bounce or angled flash to illuminate subtle abrasions

Assault Victims
First photo should be an overall photo that shows the subject’s face
For bruises, lacerations or bite marks
- orientation views
- close up views at 90° to eliminate distortion
- scale on same plane as the mark

Assault Victims

Assault Victim Side Views

Injury with scale if possible

Overall Photo & Facial

Injury photos

Injury photos with scale

Injury photos

Bite Marks or Weapon Marks for Comparison
Photos of child abuse injuries or bite or weapon marks are to be done by Forensic Services
Any injury photos where comparison to known exemplars may be made should be done by a Forensic Services Officer