Digital photography continues to rapidly expand into the every day practices of criminal justice professionals. Crime scenes are full of evidence waiting to be placed inside a sealed bag and stored into evidence. Consequently not everything can be sealed and stored. In addition once the area of the crime has had things moved or touched by investigators then the scene is never the same. Furthermore digital photography helps preserve the scene and the evidence from further temperament. Consequently this paper will discuss the topic of digital imaging and when it is considered in law enforcement. In addition this paper will also discuss the court such as the legality behind these photographs admissibility and also whether a crime scene photographer can be considered as an expert witness.
A crime scene is something that photographs are needed for. Furthermore, as photographs evolved and became more detailed they have been used to document close up evidence as well. Subsequently, this physical evidence can include things
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like, hair, fibers, fingerprints and tire tracks. They forever preserve the wounds, blood spatter, trauma and violence that the victims of the crime have suffered from. Depending on the crimes scene the photos can be graphic and detailed. These images can be used for many different reasons. Some of these reasons are; to reconstruct the crime scene, refresh the victims and witnesses memories of the event, and provide insight to the mental aspect of the perpetrator. Subsequently, the most important thing these photos provide is aide to authorities in regards to the location, arrest and prosecution of the suspect. Digital photography has become a key tool in aiding the documentation of a crime scene. It offers many different capabilities to investigators. For instance, there are removable cards that can be used to easily transfer photographs from one computer to another, in addition there can also be more copies quickly made. This is crucial in regards to preserving evidence. To add, digital photography allows photos to be processed without chemicals, they do not require film, and is easily portable. Subsequently, this form of photography is rapidly replacing other forms of traditional film based models due to the conveniences of digital photography. This is due to the fact that other forms of photography do not allow the viewing of pictures taken until it is printed out. With this being said digital photography also of costly and investigators find themselves at risk of not being able to take the pictures then need because of the cameras battery dying. The more technologically advanced society becomes, the more likely that the average juror will have some difficulty understanding the court case they are sitting in on. For instance, when DNA evidence was first being tested, many people did not understand how it led to the connecting a suspect to the crime. Furthermore defense lawyers would take this and use it to their advantage. Consequently, expert witnesses became crucial to many court cases. Expert witnesses are needed in order to simplify the complex information or evidence for the jury to understand. The qualifications of an expert witness were clarified in Fed. R. Evid. 702, which defines an expert witness as someone that is qualified and have the knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education. Furthermore crime scene photographers are people entrusted with the task of thoroughly documenting the crime scene. They have had training and have a certain knowledge and expertise at this craft that many other people do not have. These people through time gain experience and are able to identify crime scene patterns through their photographs. To contrast, the expert does not always have to be the one who did the analysis. In addition experts can be called into court contradict testimonies. With all of this being said, the court can accept and person as an expert. Numerous articles have emerged throughout the course of crime scene photography’s existence. These articles are produced to challenge the admissibility of these images. In the beginning of digital photography, the images were challenged due to the belief that the digital photographs were inferior in comparison to the traditional photograph. Consequently, as the digital photographs began to produce better quality picture they become even more questionable. In the past photographs had little question in being admissible in court, this is beginning to change. This is due to the fact that there are software programs that are available to edit and enhance them. As a result, photographs can be manipulated. One of the software programs is called adobe Photoshop. Consequently, people that are skeptic of digital photography would like for there to be a more extensive authentication process when it comes to the admissibility of these photographs in court. To contrast, these photographs cannot be altered without human assistance. To continue, photographs should be treated as evidence and be used with care. Thus no one without proper access should be able to handle them. They should be handled by a limited amount of people such as the investigator, editor and prosecutor. Different states can have different guidelines revolving around the admissibility of crime scene evidence photographs.
In regards to the state of Florida, photographs have been ruled to be admissible for a long time, as long as the pictures are relevant to the case. In addition, the state of Florida also states that a photograph may be admissible in court under the ‘pictorial testimony’ theory. This is when a witness verifies that the evidence accurately represents the subject matter of the case. The witness’s verification is based on their own personal observation. Once the photographs are deemed as relevant for the case, the final hurdle that must be conquered is the authenticity. This is done by the offering party showing the picture to the witness in the court room. To continue, they will then ask the witness “does this photograph fairly and accurately depict [subject]”. If the adverse party does not challenge the photograph then it is
admissible. There have been several court cases that have challenged the admissibility of digital photography. For instance, Pictorial Testimony theory was challenged and upheld in 1974. At this time, Florida courts were met with the challenge of addressing the admissibility of the more advanced methods of crime scene photography. In addition the digital camera has caused controversy in regards to their photographs admissibility. Furthermore people believe that there should be more rules and requirements for the photographs to be admissible in court. To contrast, in order for these photographs to be allowed in court a live witness is required to testify to the events that he or she personally observed. To add, the witness can also be subjected to cross-examination. As a result of the challenges of admissible photographs, The Supreme Court of Georgia responded: “We are aware of no authority, and appellant cites none, for the proposition that the procedure for admitting pictures should be any different when they were taken by a digital camera.”
The photographic logs details who took the photos of the scene, which light was used to take these pictures these pictures will later be used to construct a diagram. Finally, the evidence recovery log which lists what piece of evidence was recovered such as bone fragments, articles of clothing, or bullets from the crime scene (Swanson, et al., 2012) In this series, Dr. Brenan can be seen accompanying FBI agent Seeley Booth to interrogate both witnesses and possible suspects. Further, in the series, Dr. Brenan can be seen in possession of a weapon and join the hunt for the criminal. In reality, the forensic investigator is needed in the scene of the crime in order to collect evidence. This type of portrayal from the media is leading the public to believe that both the agent and the investigator or attorney will engage in the “exciting adventures” when the reality is it is just the way the media portrays these types of scenarios (Surette, 2015). The way the series portrays forensic science differs from the real world even though the author of the series is a forensic anthropologist
In criminal justice, detectives need many skills that help capture the suspect. One of the important skills is finding and presenting evidence. This is significantly important because according to the Criminal Justice
The following paper explores a homicide scene at a convenience store / gas station at 3 a.m. The material of the investigation is represented with a number of visible evidence, the dead body with an apparent gunshot wound in the chest and the testimony of the first officer at the scene. The paper is divided into four parts, including the general overview (introduction), latent impression processing, people’s involvement investigation procedure and evidence package for the further fingerprint analysis. The crime scene investigation protocol used in this paper includes interview, examination, photographing, sketching and processing itself (Castleman, 2000: 23). Observing the homicide scene we omit the analysis of the preliminary procedures as security of the scene, integrity precautions, photographing and sketching.
Crime scenes are known to have many clues left behind. The obvious would be a the body or bodies, clothing, and sometimes even the murder weapon. While these are great way to solve a case there's another kind of evidence; trace evidence. Trace evidence are small pieces of evidence that are laying around a crime scene. There are many types of trace evidence some of them include metal filings, plastic fragments, gunshot residue, glass fragments, feathers, food stains, building materials, lubricants, fingernail scrapings, pollens and spores, cosmetics, chemicals, paper fibers and sawdust, human and animal hairs, plant and vegetable fibers, blood and other body fluids, asphalt or tar, vegetable fats and oils, dusts and other airborne particles, insulation, textile fibers, soot, soils and mineral grains, and explosive residues. Although these are the most common found elements, they are not the only ones. The Trace Evidence Unit is known to examine the largest variety of evidence types and used the biggest range of analytical methods of any unit. materials are compared with standards or knowns samples to determine whether or not they share any common characteristics. In this paper I will discuss the different kinds of trace evidence and how crime scene investigaros use it to solve cases and convict criminal.
results of the forensic anthropology. For instance, if a crime is committed at a certain scene,
This is evidence that can be classified into two broad categories which is demonstrative evidence and substantive evidence, The demonstrative evidence in a trial is the evidence other than a testimony that is presented during the course of a civil or criminal trial the demonstrative evidence includes actual evidence examples include (set of bloody gloves from a murder scene and illustrative evidence photos and charts. In trial cases many attorneys view the presentation of the evidence as demonstrative. A common example of demonstrative evidence is a still photograph, photographs of plaintiffs bruises taken immediately after an accident, these pictures will be able to help jury understand and see what took place at trial even if the trial is months from that date the injuries actually happened on. In this case a photograph, which is to be considered as demonstrative evidence could possibly solve a case and answer lots of questions a jury might have also questions and concerns the jury might have of the victim. Also another example would be aerial photographs of the crime scene of a vehicular accident can show how a particular intersection is laid out and can make more clear an ambiguous description of a bind intersection given by a witness.
Forensic Science, recognized as Forensics, is the solicitation of science to law to understand evidences for crime investigation. Forensic scientists are investigators that collect evidences at the crime scene and analyse it uses technology to reveal scientific evidence in a range of fields. Physical evidence are included things that can be seen, whether with the naked eye or through the use of magnification or other analytical tools. Some of this evidence is categorized as impression evidence2.In this report I’ll determine the areas of forensic science that are relevant to particular investigation and setting out in what method the forensic science procedures I have recognized that would be useful for the particular crime scene.
New types of technology have made it easier to track down and catch criminals. Then also made it easier for prosecutors to gather and present more credible information. Some new technology that has made it easier to track down criminals or help provide more reliable and supportive evidence is things such as DNA testing, computer technology, fingerprinting, and GPS tracking devices. “The main strengths of technology in the criminal justice system lie in the provision of databases which allow better and more efficient records to be stored and retrieved” (Bean 370). Prosecutors now in sense have “…an infallible test of truth, a foolproof method, of determining the accuracy and reliability of evidence and hence of convictions” (Pallaras 72). These 4 technological advancement...
Collecting evidence from a crime scene is a crucial aspect of solving crimes. Before evidence can be seized, there must first be a court order approving the search of the crime scene and the seizure of the evidence found at the scene. Standard protocol for officers is for them to always use latex gloves, avoid plastic bags, double wrap small objects, package each object separately, and to collect as much evidence as possible. It is better to have too much evidence than to not have enough. There are countless amounts of evidence that can be found at a crime scene.
Forensic science has now been recognized as an important part of the law enforcement team to help solve crimes and cold cases. The advances in technology are being used each day and we must continue to strive to develop better advances in this field. The recent discovery of using DNA in criminal cases has helped not only positively identify the suspect, but it has helped exonerate hundreds of innocent individuals. “With new advances in police technology and computer science, crime scene investigation and forensic science will only become more precise as we head into the future.” (Roufa, 2017) Forensic science and evidence helps law enforcement officials solve crimes through the collection, preservation and analysis of evidence. By having a mobile crime laboratory, the scene gets processed quicker and more efficiently. Forensic science will only grow in the future to be a benefit for the criminal justice
Razzaq, N. Z. (2008). Visual Documentation in Crime Scene Investigations. Retrieved June 3, 2011, from http://policelink.monster.com/training/articles/17221-visual-documentation-in-crime-scene-investigations
The relationship between photography and criminality is known as the Forensic photography which involves documenting both suspected and convicted criminals, and also the victims, crime scenes, and other evidence needed to make a conviction. Even though photography was known as the most accurate way of documenting, it did not become accepted as a forensic means of identification until the 19th century. It resulted from the development of criminal justice systems and the power of photographic realism. During the 19th centaury, these two developments were significant to both forensic photography and police work in general.
“The word ‘forensics’ means “connected with the courtroom”; so forensic science is, therefore, concerned with gathering hard evidence that can be presented in a trial” (Innes 9). Forensic science is a science that is applied specifically to legal matters, whether criminal or civil. “Few areas in the realm of science are as widespread and important as forensic science” (Hunter 12). Forensics is the one science that is most commonly used in everyday life. It is also a branch of science that incorporates other branches of science such as biology, chemistry, and etc. Since it is used almost every day “No one can dispute the importance of the contributions to society made by forensic science; the ability to solve crime is undeniably important” (Hunter 13). Forensic science has given criminal investigation a new edge. “Advances in science have opened the door for more effective evidence discovery, howev...
“Each light has a different preset wavelength designed to detect hair, fibers, and body fluids at crime scenes, these lights allow a crime scene to be processed faster and more thoroughly than ever before.” This technology is speedy and can help locate the whereabouts of criminals. The use of in-car camera systems has become very popular, especially by law enforcement. These cameras are used to record traffic stops and road violations of civilians. “From the time the first in-car cameras were installed to document roadside impaired-driving sobriety tests, the cameras have captured both intended and unintended video footage that has established their value. Most video recordings have resulted in convictions; many provide an expedited means to resolve citizen complaints, exonerate officers from accusations, and serve as police training videos.” Photo enforcement systems helps to maintain road safety by “automatically generating red light violations and/or speeding summons and as a result to greatly improve safety for the motoring public.” (Schultz,
It is a crime scene investigators first mission to never change a crime scene or alter evidence, so it is important for first responders, or law enforcement personnel to remember this upon first reaching or entering a crime scene. The main goal is to document and preserve the scene exactly as it was when the crime was committed (Knetzger & Muaski, 2008). The first thing that law enforcement personnel wants to do is photograph the scene from multiple vantage points, which will be used as evidence of how the property was when law enforcement arrived on the scene of the crime.