Skip to main content

Crime Scene Photography

  • 3rd Edition - June 12, 2016
  • Latest edition
  • Author: Edward M. Robinson
  • Language: English

Crime Scene Photography, Third Edition, covers the general principles and concepts of photography, while also delving into the more practical elements and advanced concepts of for… Read more

Data Mining & ML

Unlock the cutting edge

Up to 20% on trusted resources. Build expertise with data mining, ML methods.

Description

Crime Scene Photography, Third Edition, covers the general principles and concepts of photography, while also delving into the more practical elements and advanced concepts of forensic photography. Robinson assists the reader in understanding and applying essential concepts in order to create images that are able to withstand challenges in court. This text is a required reading by both the International Association for Identification’s Crime Scene Certification Board and the Forensic Photography Certification Board. Includes an instructor website with lecture slides, practical exercises, a test bank, and image collection and many videos which can be used.

Key features

  • Extensively illustrated with over 1000 full color photographs, with many images entirely new for the third edition
  • Over 100 practical exercises help the reader grasp the practical applications
  • Variations of correct and incorrect approaches, to be used alongside practical exercises, available online in the Instructor’s Manual
  • The chapter on Special Photographic Situations includes new sections on autopsy photography, images from drones, recommendations to photographically document bloodstain patterns and firearms trajectories

Readership

Undergraduate and postgraduate students in forensic and/or criminal justice programs, law enforcement training centers, police academies and local agencies

Table of contents

Chapter 1. History of Forensic Imaging

  • My Inspiration
  • The Practical Value
  • The History
  • Summary

Chapter 2. Composition and Cardinal Rules

  • Use-Once Camera Versus a Professional Camera System
  • Composition and Cardinal Rules
  • Cardinal Rules of Crime Scene Photography
  • Discussion Questions
  • Exercises

Chapter 3. Crime Scene Photography

  • Photo Documentation Forms
  • “As Found,” “As Is,” or “In Situ” Photographs
  • Exterior Overall Photographs—Crime Scene
  • Midrange Photographs
  • Close-Up Photographs
  • The Photographic Documentation of Bodies and Wounds
  • Learning Objectives, Revisited
  • Discussion Questions
  • Exercises

Chapter 4. Basic Exposure (Nonflash) Concepts

  • The Proper Exposure Triangle
  • Shutter Speed as Motion Control
  • Reciprocal Exposures
  • The Reflective Light Meter
  • “Normal” and “Non-normal” Scenes
  • Tools for Determining “Proper” Exposures With Tricky Scenes
  • Bracketing
  • The f/16 Sunny Day Rule
  • The Eye Cup Cover
  • Learning Objectives, Revisited
  • Discussion Questions
  • Exercises

Chapter 5. Focus, Depth of Field, and Lenses

  • Focus
  • Depth of Field
  • Lenses
  • Learning Objectives, Revisited
  • Discussion Questions
  • Exercises (All Nonflash Shots)

Chapter 6. Electronic Flash

  • Guide Numbers
  • Flash Sync Speeds
  • Manual Flash Mode
  • The Inverse Square Law
  • Automatic and Dedicated Flash Exposure Modes
  • Built-In Flash Units
  • Fill-In Flash
  • Oblique Light, Both Flash and Nonflash (Flashlight)
  • Bounce Flash
  • Painting With Light3
  • Learning Objectives, Revisited
  • Discussion Questions
  • Exercises

Chapter 7. Ultraviolet, Infrared, and Fluorescence

  • The Electromagnetic Spectrum
  • Ultraviolet Light
  • Infrared Light on the Electromagnetic Spectrum
  • Visible Light Fluorescence
  • Learning Objectives, Revisited
  • Discussion Questions
  • Exercises

Chapter 8. Photogrammetry

  • Introduction to Photogrammetry
  • Perspective Grid Photogrammetry
  • Perspective Disc Photogrammetry
  • Natural Grid Photogrammetry
  • Reverse Projection Photogrammetry
  • Rhino Photogrammetry
  • Summary
  • Discussion Questions
  • Exercises

Chapter 9. Special Photography Situations

  • Subchapter 9.1. Aerial and Elevated View Photography
  • Subchapter 9.2. Autopsy Photography
  • Subchapter 9.3. Bloodstain Pattern Analysis and Photography
  • Subchapter 9.4. Drones
  • Subchapter 9.5. Photographic Documentation of Shooting Incidents
  • Subchapter 9.6. Surveillance Photography
  • Subchapter 9.7. Underwater Photography
  • Subchapter 9.8. Vehicle Crash Photography

Chapter 10. Digital Imaging Technologies

  • The Cliché
  • Bias and Uncertainty
  • Bits, Bytes, Pixels, and Dots Exposed
  • Make a Strategy for the Entire Imaging Process
  • The Science of Digital Imaging Is Getting a Bit Deeper
  • Joint Photographic Expert Group
  • Tagged Image File
  • Digital Forensics Is Like the Wild West
  • Summary

Chapter 11. Digital Image Processing of Evidentiary Photography

  • Introduction
  • Standard Operating Procedure
  • Image-Processing Guidelines
  • Image-Processing Techniques and Procedures
  • Summary

Chapter 12. Legal Issues Related to Photographs and Digital Images

  • Criteria of Photographs and Digital Images as Evidence
  • The Purpose of Crime Scene Photographs
  • Photographs of Suspects and Evidence
  • Legal Implications of Digital Imaging
  • International Association for Identification Resolution 97-9

Review quotes

"...a fantastic resource for Colleges and Universities, it is also a must read for those who take their forensic and crime scene photography seriously enough to continually invest in new skills. I do recommend this book and have been able to use some of the practices in my teaching, while also learning new ideas myself."—CSEye

Product details

  • Edition: 3
  • Latest edition
  • Published: August 1, 2016
  • Language: English

About the author

ER

Edward M. Robinson

Edward M. Robinson began his career in law enforcement in 1971, with the Arlington County (Virginia) Police Department (ACPD). After 25 years with the ACPD, Mr. Robinson created the Crime Scene Investigation concentration at The George Washington University for their Master of Forensic Science degree program, and continues there today.
Affiliations and expertise
Associate Professor, Forensic Science Department, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA

View book on ScienceDirect

Read Crime Scene Photography on ScienceDirect