Forensic photography, also known as crime scene photography, is an activity that records the initial appearance of the crime scene and physical evidence, in order to provide a permanent record for the courts. Crime scene photography differs from other variations of photography because crime scene photographers often have a very specific purpose for capturing each image.
Crime scenes can be important sources of physical evidence used to associate or link suspects to scenes, victims to scenes, and suspects to victims. This is the Locard exchange principle. It is the basic principle of why crime scenes should be investigated. Anything found at a crime scene can be physical evidence. In scientific crime scene investigation, early crime scene activities are essential to the successful preservation of physical evidence. The first responder and ultimately the crime scene investigator have an obligation to make the scene safe and ensure that any other activity at the scene does not change the evidence. Using a multilevel security method would accomplish this task. The preliminary scene survey is the first on-scene activity. Precautions are taken for transitory and conditional evidence during the survey.
All forensic photography must consider three elements at a crime scene: the subject, the scale, and a reference object. In addition, general forensic photographs must show a neutral and accurate representation.
Common photography related to creative and artistic photography often shows its results in a different way. Creative and artistic photos are perfectly fine. However, forensic photography is different. They must serve several purposes.
Para las personas que estaban en la escena del crimen original, las fotos forenses ayudarán a refrescar su memoria con el paso del tiempo. Las personas que no pudieron estar presentes en la escena del crimen original, les proporciona la oportunidad de ver la escena del crimen y las pruebas dentro de la escena del crimen.
Additionally, forensic photographs can be used by law enforcement professionals who will become involved with the crime and will be used later when the crime case goes to trial. The judge, jury, attorney and witnesses can reuse and use forensic photographs to obtain evidence or legal references. Sometimes forensic photos can be the only way to collect legal evidence. Therefore, the following points should be considered:
- Document the crime scene and the evidence within the crime scene.
- Collect the evidence. These images can then be used as examination quality photographs by forensic laboratory experts or analysts.
