Forensic Photography;Photographing Crime Scenes

Forensic photography, also called crime scene photography and crime scene imaging, is the art of taking accurate and precise images of a crime scene that can be used to aid investigators piece together the moments before, after and during the commission of a crime or the events that led to an accident.

Forensic photos are often used by courts when determining causes, events, fault and deciding guilt or innocence.

This genre of photography is definitely not for everyone. If you are squeamish, don't feel comfortable around blood, wounds, had trouble in your high school biology class, are highly offended by gruesome scenes, that can often include children, then this type of photography is probably not for you.

Forensic photos most always include items to show scale, such as coins, rulers ,everyday items, although most forensic photographers have specialized equipment for such tasks. A common example is to use a coin placed next to blood droplets to show the scale when compared to a known size (the coin).

Photographs are taken methodically and meticulously, in other words forensic photographers follow a strict set of rules and procedures in every assignment. The images form part of forensic reports and are meant to substantiate conclusions.

Photographs of circumstantial evidence are often taken to show a possible correlation to the crime scene, such as water from a rainstorm that led to a car skidding of the road.

Most crime scene technicians, as forensic photographers are officially known, must often undergo the same or a similar training program that other crime scenes technicians do, if their goal is to join a police department, plus they must show training and expertise in the photographic arena.

In many instances they must have have had training in human physiology as they often will have to photograph bodies,or body parts. In today's society, a degree in criminology is also quite sought after by employers.

Some forensic photographers can eventually transition into forensic agents, which are crime scene investigators that are in charge of collecting evidence, cataloging such evidence and conducting several other aspects of the investigation.

Forensic photographers use a wide array of specialized photographic equipment in their job. The use of photo-microscopes, specialized lenses, X-ray, fluorescence, infrared and ultraviolet lights and film are common. Computers are commonly used to highlight, magnify or re-size photos.

Forensic photographer's main goal is to accurately and clearly take images of anything and everything within the compounds of a crime scene that can be used to shed light on the crime and be used as evidence. They attempt to depict a crime scene in photos that are technically sound, unaltered and provide views from several angles.

Most forensic photographers use film, both color and black & white, depending on the scene, and because film provides a much better resolution than digital. They most always develop their own film and must always keep accurate records at all times during the film processing to the delivery of the images to dispel any notions of adulteration or contamination of the images.

The average starting salary for a crime scene forensic photographer is around $15,000 per year and can go up to $49,000 per year with the average being around $24,000 per year.

The principal employers for forensic photographers are hospitals, insurance firms, law firms, private investigators, the federal and local governments and police. They can also be freelancers working for a variety of clients.