COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The primary objective is to provide students with a working knowledge of basic and specialized methods in crime scene photography while learning to use the functions and features of their digital camera. This is accomplished by working on numerous practical exercises relating to crime scene photography and the photographic documentation of evidence. The exercises are designed to replicate the various forms of evidence in scenarios likely to be encountered in “real world” investigations.
The workshop will emphasize an understanding of imaging technology in law enforcement. National guidelines will be presented on procedures used for protecting the integrity of digital photographs, as well as landmark court cases relative to digital images used in court.
The training is conducted at the Combined Regional Emergency Services Training (CREST)
grounds at the Advanced Police Training Center, Oakland Police Academy, Oakland Community College, Auburn Hills, MI (www.oaklandcc.edu/crest/). CREST is a training city used by police and fire agencies for staging practical exercises. The CREST training city includes a typical residential neighborhood and commercial businesses set on typical landscaping along with paved roads and street lighting during hours of darkness. The students will work on their photographic exercises and adapt their photographic methods to an environment likely to be encountered in their respective work area.
Class is limited to 8 students to ensure those with little or no photographic experience receive maximum benefit of the workshop. Photographs from the exercises will be processed overnight for evaluation the next day of class. Additionally, each student will be mailed a portfolio of photographic displays of their completed projects. Processing and printing of exercise photographs and relevant materials will be provided as part of the workshop.
Practical exercises incorporate flash photography and special lighting methods in the following topic areas:
- 2-dimensional dust impressions.
- 3-dimension impressions in various substrates.
- Close up exercises in latent prints, VIN numbers, tool marks, & cartridge cases.
- Injuries and assaults.
- Shooting reconstruction (indoor and outdoor).
- Blood enhancement (open area and vehicle).
- Crime scene documentation.
The emphasis in this class will be to develop a sound understanding of the features of the student’s photographic equipment. The hands-on training is designed to replicate real world scenarios and develop confidence in their ability to correctly photograph the various forms of evidence found at the crime scene.
Each student will receive a workbook with a step-by-step procedure including camera and flash settings for each exercise conducted as part of the workshop. The workbook serves as a guide for future instances where a similar photographic scenario may be encountered. The workbook is designed to be annotated with notes by the student tailored for their photographic equipment.