Modes of crime scene photography
It is a 4-credit-hour course for CSIs, forensic science practitioners, solicitors, and criminal lawyers that will provide them with an understanding of techniques by which photographs can be documented. This course will explain the three basic modes of photography and the reasons for taking these three modes of photography into account. This course will highlight the importance of evidence relationship photographs and how this impacts the casework and explanation in law courts. This course will cover the methods and procedures for taking pictures of dead bodies at crime scenes. Moreover, this course will highlight the legal issues in photography documentation and errors that impact casework in the court of law. The course will provide trainees with an example of casework.
Method of Instruction:
This course will be provided online and live class. Video components will contain portions of visual presentations, audio of the instructor, and visuals of the instructor. Students will be granted unlimited access to all course materials, so they can complete the course at their own pace. Access may be temporarily paused due to inactivity but reinstated when the attendee chooses to return to the course. The instructor will be available to students via e-mail, phone, or video call during the access period to address student questions. The instructor will also be available via the same methods for any technical issues that may arise. A certificate will be provided upon completion of the final examination.
Note: Examination will be MCQs based.
Learning Outcomes
Participation and Learning Evaluation:
The quiz will be given to demonstrate the student’s ability to meet course learning objectives. An examination will be given at the end of the course. Students must receive a minimum score of 70% on each quiz and on the final examination to obtain a course certificate.
Credit hours = 4 hours
Syllabus Topics by Hours
- Start of Photo documentation (15 minutes)
- Overall Photography (30 minutes)
- Exterior overall photography of crime scene
- Exterior overall photography evidence
- Interior overall photography crime scene
- Interior overall photography evidence
- Midrange /Evidence Relationship Photography (30 minutes)
- Viewpoint to avoid perspective distortion
- Background in midrange
- Closeup photography (30 minutes)
- Scaled photography
- Photography of a dead body at a crime scene (30 minutes)
- Filling of frame
- Adjustment of shutter speed and aperture for photographs of blood-shedding injuries
- Sensitive photographs (30 minutes)
- Casework and importance of photography in the court of law (30 minutes)
- Examination (45 hours)