Crime Scene and Evidence Photography - DOWNLOADABLE PDF

Crime Scene and Evidence Photography

Second Edition

DOWNLOADABLE PDF

by Steven Staggs
ISBN 978-1-933373-07-2
Published 2014

Crime Scene and Evidence Photography, 2nd Edition is designed for those responsible for photography at the crime scene and in the laboratory. It may be used by law enforcement officers, investigators, crime scene technicians, and forensic scientists. It contains instructions for photographing a variety of crime scenes and various types of evidence. It is a valuable reference tool when combined with training and experience. Crime Scene and Evidence Photography is also a helpful resource for students and others interested in entering into the field of crime scene investigation.

You may purchase this book as a printed book at Amazon.com

Sections in the guide include:

• The value of crime scene photography
• A brief history of crime scene photography
• Admissibility of photographs in court
• Testifying in court
• Becoming an expert witness

• The camera
  
• Automatic vs. manual photography
  
• Technical photography
  
• Correct exposure
  
• Bracketing
• High dynamic range photography
• Flash fill
• Maximum depth of field
  
• Free from distortion
  
• Sharp focus
  
• Flash Illumination
  
• Electronic flash
• Painting with light
• Available light photography
  

• Steps in processing the crime scene
  
• The role of the Crime Scene Photographer
  
• The Photo Log
  
• Using video to record the crime scene
  
• Tools of the trade
  

• Photographing injuries
• Assault scenes
• Homicide scenes
• Suicide scenes
• Autopsy photography

• Burglary scenes
• Robbery scenes
• Arson and fire scenes
• Explosion scenes

• Burglary to vehicle
• Collision involving vehicle
  
• Technical Photographs of damage to a vehicle
  

• Number of photographs
  
• Using scales and marking devices
  
• Camera and scale orientation
  
• Digital Images
  
• Film
  
• Exposure
  
• Focusing
  
• Establishing the location of evidence
  
• Close-up lenses and devices
  

• Footwear impressions
  
• Tire impressions
  
• Tool marks
  
• Fingerprints
  
• Bloodstain
  
• Bullet path
  

• Laboratory camera equipment
  
• Lighting methods for evidence close-up photography
  
• Camera and scale orientation
  
• Exposure
  
• Serial numbers
  
• Forensic light source photography
  
• Ultraviolet photography
  
• Infrared photography
  
• Clothing
  
• Microscopes
  
• Matching photographs
  
• Exhibits
  

About the Author

For the past 35 years Steven Staggs has been a forensic photography instructor and has trained more than 4,000 crime scene technicians and investigators for police and sheriff departments, district attorney offices, and federal agencies. He is also a guest speaker for investigator associations, appears as a crime scene investigation expert on Discovery Channel's Unsolved History, and provides consulting to law enforcement agencies.

Steve has extensive experience in crime scene photography and identification. He has testified in superior court concerning his crime scene, evidence, and autopsy photography and has handled high profile cases including a nationally publicized serial homicide case.

Steve is the author of the Crime Scene and Evidence Photographer's Guide, a field handbook for crime scene and evidence photography, which has sold over 40,000 copies and is in use by investigators in more than 2,500 law enforcement agencies.

Steve retired in 2004 after 32 years in law enforcement, but continues to teach forensic photography and crime scene investigations at a university in Southern California. He is the President of Crime Scene Resources, Inc. and Webmaster of the Crime Scene Investigator Network (www.crime-scene-investigator.net), the world's most popular Crime Scene Investigation and Forensic Science website.