Forensic Photography

Abstract

In general terms, forensic photography can be described as any type of photography and imaging that pertains to the law. This means photographs taken by police and forensic investigators for the purpose of expressing evidence and concepts in court or used during the forensic analysis of physical evidence. However, the expression forensic photography has several different meanings, depending on the discipline for which it is used. Forensic photography may include the following practices: 1. Crime scene photography 2. Scientific photography 3. Optical enhancement of evidence 4. Detection of latent (invisible) evidence 5. Interpretation of photographs as forensic evidence 6. Detection of photographic fakery 7. Production of visual media for court presentation (photographs, posters and charts, and so on). This article will examine several different forms of forensic photography and describe the fundamental framework around forensic photography practices and their principles. The majority of images used in this article are those of shoe.mark evidence, used to highlight the level of variation of approaches within forensic photography as a discipline.