Crime Scene Photography CJ327 Jonathan Dorriety Adjunct Professor School of Public Safety Kaplan University

Unit 4 Photographing Large Crime Scene Areas In Low Light

Sometimes crime scenes can be rather large in area. The problem is sometimes it can be dark outside.

We are going to discuss some techniques for illuminating the scene through various means. This involves using both natural and artificial light sources.

First of all… What feature must a camera have in order for this to be successful?

What You Will Need 1. You will need a 35mm SLR camera.1. You will need a 35mm SLR camera.

What You Will Need 1. You will need a 35mm SLR camera. 2. That camera must have a “bulb” setting, sometimes denoted with a “B”2. That camera must have a “bulb” setting, sometimes denoted with a “B”

What You Will Need 1. You will need a 35mm SLR camera. sometimes2. That camera must have a “bulb” setting, sometimes denoted with a “B” 3. Modern cameras with LED readouts will usually just say “Bulb”3. Modern cameras with LED readouts will usually just say “Bulb”

What You Will Need 1. You will need a 35mm SLR camera. sometimes2. That camera must have a “bulb” setting, sometimes denoted with a “B” 3. Modern cameras with LED readouts will usually just say “Bulb” 4.Tripod4.Tripod

What does the “Bulb” setting do? Question

Answer It holds the shutter open for as long as the shutter release button is pressed manually, by either remote cord or remote control (wireless). Page (Robinson, 2010, p. 57)

Answer In addition, modern cameras have timers on them that will allow the shutter to remain open for various lengths of time such as 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 seconds without using a remote.

This is what you can get 70mm 1.6 seconds ISO 400

Okay, now that we know we must keep the shutter open, how do we photograph a large area in the dark? (no light sources at all)

Answer The primary method is call “painting with light.” It involves keeping the shutter open and exposing different areas of the crime scene with light until the entire scene has been illuminated one section at a time.

How is this accomplished? By having an assistant walk around (staying out of the photograph itself) and manually firing an electronic flash from different angles toward the scene.

There is a diagram in your text on Page 296. (Robinson, 2010, p. 296)

(Robinson, 2010, p. 291) Intentional use of wide angle lens to show safety markers.

What other technique could you use without using a flash?

Use a patrol vehicle spotlight and move the beam back and forth just like a paint brush and it would expose on the film little by little. This should be done from behind the camera.

What is a time exposure photograph?

Using available ambient light (street lamp, moonlight, etc) with the shutter held open until enough light has been exposed to the film or digital sensor to expose the crime scene.

30 sec. 18mm F/3.5 ISO 200

60 sec. 18mm F/3.5 ISO 200

90 sec. 18mm F/3.5 ISO 200

120 sec. 18mm F/3.5 ISO 200

120 sec. 18mm F/4 ISO 400

What could be some advantages of this method over using a flash?

Depending on the source of ambient light, there could be a more even distribution of light onto the scene. Half to full moon light would be ideal for this. However, shooting toward streetlights could cause a problem of overexposure.

The amount of ambient light available and where it is coming from, in relation to the camera, can make the difference in whether or not it is advantageous to use.

Rules Any of these techniques take practice. Don’t wait until you are at a crime scene to try and figure out how it works. Keep all personnel out of the crime scene during the photographing.

References Robinson, E. M. (2010). Crime scene photography (2 nd ed.). Burlington, MA: Academic Press.

Further Discussion or Questions?

Thank you for participating! Have a great evening!