REVIEW NOTES IN FORENSIC 2.

Crime Scene Specialist (CSS)- responsible

PHOTOGRAPHY in phtographing the crime scene and
evidence.
1. PHOTOGRAPHY – process of reproducing 3. Forensic Photographer- is an expert in the
images with the use of components/elements photo sciences field. Used special
 “Phos” or “Fos” which means “light” photographic techniques
and;
 “Grapho” means “Writing” or LIGHT - is one of number of known forms of
“Graphia” meaning “to Draw”
radiant electromagnetic energy which travel in
 Elements/components
wave motion. Travel at speed 186,000 miles per
1. light- electromagnetic energy
second (on air), 8 min to travel from sun to earth.
(essential ingredients, most important
element) WAVELENGTH - the distance from crest
2. sensitized materials-sensitive to (highest point) to the wave of the next
light (film and photo paper) succeeding crest.
3. camera- light tight box
4. chemical process- development, FREQUENCY - the number of waves passing in
stop bath fixation a given point in one second.
2. FORENSIC - Latin word “Forum” which
means “a market place” where people FOUR PHOTOGRAPHIC RAYS
gathered for public discussion.
1. X-ray – radiation having a wavelength
3. FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY-documentation
between 01 to 30 nanometer or milli-
of crime scene and evidence for laboratory
examination and analysis for purposes of microns. They are produced by passing an
court trial. electric current through a special type of
4. POLICE PHOTOGRAPHY - the application vacuum tube.
of the principles of photography in relation to 2. Ultra-violet rays – radiation having a
the police work and in the administration of wavelength from 30 to 400 milli-microns. It
justice. is used to photograph fingerprints on multi-
5. PHOTOGRAPH - A mechanical and colored background, documents that are
chemical result of Photography. Most niversal
altered chemically or over writings and
language of all language
6. IDENTIFICATION- first function of detection of secret writings.
photography, primarily used of photography 3. Visible light rays or White light – rays
in law enforcement. having a wavelength of 400 to 700 milli-
7. PRESERVATION- utmost used/most microns.
important used in crime scene investigation. 4. Infra-red rays- radiation having a
wavelength of 700 to 1000 milli-microns. It
is used in taking photographs of obliterated
Photographer is a person who is logical,
writing, burnt or dirty documents or blackout
analytical and realistic thinker, and pay full
attention to every detail of the image and for photography.
them authority matters.
GENERAL TYPES OF LIGHT

3 TYPES OF PHOTOGRAPHERS IN LAW 1. Visible Light - Light with a wavelength of

ENFORCEMENT FIELD 400-700 nanometers.
2. Invisible Light - Lights with shorter of longer
1. Lab Technician - is the darkroom expert. wavelength.
Responsible for all film development,
COLORS OF PHOTOGRAPHY

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 White light is the sum total of all colors of 3. Opaque Object - So greatly diffuse the light
the rainbow while that recognizing the object on the other side
 Black is the absence of all colors. is very difficult if not impossible.
 Primary colors: Blue, Red and Green.
 Secondary Colors: Cyan, Magenta and SOURCES OF LIGHT
Yellow 1. Natural - Coming from nature like the sun,
 Complementary Colors - colors opposite moon, stars, other heavenly bodies, lightning,
one another on the color wheel. I etc.
a. Bright Sunlight - A lighting condition
PROPERTIES OF LIGHT
where objects in open space cast a deep
1. Reflection - It is the deflection or and uniform or distinct shadow.
bouncing back of light when it hits a surface. b. Hazy Sunlight - Objects in open space
(smooth surface) cast a transparent shadow.
2. Refraction - The bending of light when c. Dull Sunlight - Objects in open space
passing from one medium to another. cast no shadow.
3. Diffraction -The bending of light when it hits  Cloudy Bright - Objects in an open
a sharp edge opaque object. space cast no shadow but objects at
4. Rectilinear -The nature of light that normally far distant are clearly visible.
travels in straight line.  Cloudy dull - Objects in an open
5. Interference - Color can be produced by space cast no shadow and visibility of
interference of light waves in thin film distant objects are already limited.
like in soap bubbles or a film of oil floating
FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY
in water.
6. Absorption - The nature of light to be Brief flash of light produced by burning metal
absorbed in the process of dark surface. wires (flash bulb) or an electric discharge
7. Filtration - The character of light to be through a gas-filled tube (electronic flash) is the
altered from its colorless into visible state. most common supplemental light for still
8. Polarization - The process by which the photography.
vibration of light is confined to a definite
plane, and the speed of light can be 1. On- Camera flash
measured. 2. Off-Camera flash
9. Fluorescence - These happen when a. Multiple flash- more than one flash unit is
molecules of the fluorescent material absorb used. One is concerned to the camera
energy at one wavelength and radiate it at with a flash cord while the other is
another wavelength. attached to a “slave” unit.
b. Fill-in-flash- eliminate or add illumination
KINDS OF OBJECT AS TO HOW THEY to shadow areas
BEHAVE TO LIGHT c. Open flash- the shutter speed is set “B”
and once the shutter is open, the flash is
1. Transparent Object - Allows sufficient
activated or fired released manually.
visible light to pass through them that the
d. Bounce flash- it is bounced on light
object on the other side may be clearly seen.
colored ceilings or walls near the subject.
2. Translucent Object - Allows light to pass,
3. Umbrella flash- a modified type of bounce
however diffuse it sufficiently that objects on
flash. used in commercial photography
the other side may not be clearly
4. Ring flash- This is used for taking close-ups
distinguished.
or macrophotography especially in medical
photography.

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 2. Aperture – It is the opening within a lens that
Camera Obscura- first type of camera invented controls how much light hits the image
(Dark chamber) sensor. F-number
Camera Lucida- improved version of camera 3. Viewfinder
obscurra 4. Camera Shutter – is the device on the
View Finder Type – it is considered as the smallest camera that open and closes to control how
and the simplest type of camera. long the focal plane is exposed to light.
View or Press type – is considered the biggest 5. Shutter Speed – set the duration of time
and expensive type of camera, used for movie 6. Camera’s image sensor – captures light
making
and converts what you see through a
Reflex Camera viewfinder or LCD monitor into an image.
a. Single Lens Reflex Camera – it is a type 7. Focusing control – use to fine-tune your
of camera best suited for police work focusing, picking the right mode and getting
due to its interchangeability of the lens the sharpness
b. Twin Lens Reflex Camera – A type of 8. LCD Monitor – used to view the menus and
camera with dual lens, one for focusing camera settings
and the other for forming the image.
9. Built-in Flash – flash that may be
i. PARALLAX - The difference
between what is seen through automatically fired in some modes.
the viewfinder and what is 10. Main Dial - cogwheel situated on the front
exactly recorded on the film. part of the camera that allows you to adjust
Digital camera (or digicam) - is a camera that aperture, shutter speed, exposure
encodes digital images and videos digitally and compensation, and other parameters.
stores them for later reproduction. 11. Mode Dial - is one of the most used parts of
the camera.
ESSENTIAL PARTS OF A CAMERA
12. Batteries (Compatible rechargeable
1. Body or Light Tight Box – prevent batteries) - is one of the most important
unwanted and unnecessary light parts of the camera.
2. Lens – focus the light coming from the 13. SD (Secure Digital) Cards- storage of
subject. It is chiefly responsible for the images
sharpness of the image.
3. Shutter – the one that blocked the passage LENS: LENS TYPE AND CHARACTERISTCS
way for the light. Regulate the amount f light
that reach the file. (control the time/speed) TWO MAIN TYPES OF LENSES ACCORDING
4. Holder of sensitized material – hold firmly TO SHAPE:
the sensitized material in its placed during 1. Convergent/Positive/Convex Lens
exposure.  It is always thicker at the center and
5. View-finder – it is a means of determining thinner at the sides.
the field of view of the camera or the extent  Light passing through it are bended
of the coverage of the lens. toward each other on the other side of
lens meeting at a point.
MAIN PARTS OF DIGITAL CAMERAS  It produces a real image on the opposite
side of the lens or where light is coming
1. Camera Lens – A lens is a merely a carefully from.
ground or molded piece of transparent 2. Divergent/Negative/Concave Lens
material that refracts light rays in such a way  It is always thinner at the center and
as to form an image. thicker at the sides.

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  Light passing through it are bended Shutter - device that opens to uncover the fil to
away from each other as if coming from make an exposure for an accurately timed
a point. intervals then close automatically.
 It produces a virtual image on the same GENERAL TYPES OF SHUTTERS
side of the lens or where light is coming
from. 1. Blade or Between the Lens Shutter/
Central Shutter - one that is located near the
lens . It is made of metal leaves

2. Focal Plane Shutter – is located near the

LENS CHARACTERISTICS focal place or the sensitized material. It is
usually made of cloth curtain.
1. Focal length – is the distance measured
from the optical center of the lens to the film 1. FILTERS- Used to modify the amount of light that
plane when the lens is set of focused at reaches the film.
infinity position.
SENSITIZED MATERIAL
a. Wide-angle lens – a lens with a focal
length of less than the diagonal of its 1. Photographic Film - Its primary function is
negative material. to record the image (latent image)
b. Normal lens – a lens with a focal length 2. Photographic Papers- produces a positive
of approximately equal or more but not result or photographs after development
more than twice the diagonal of its which is final result of photography.
negative material. (Human eye)  A material suspended with an emulsion.
c. Long or Telephoto lens – a lens with a
focal length of more than twice the PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM
diagonal of its negative material. (used in 1. Ordinary/Panchromatic Film
surveillance/ clandestine photography)  It is sensitive to all colors especially to
d. blue and violet.
e. Relative aperture – the light gathering  It is suitable for general use in the
power of the lens is expressed in the F- preparation of black and white
number system. photographs.
2. Depth of field – is the distance measured 2. Blue Sensitive Film - A film especially
from the nearest to the farthest object i treated that makes it more sensitive too blue
3. Hyper focal distance – give the maximum rays of light.
depth of field. 3. Orthochromatic/Kodalith Film
 Sensitive to all colors except red.
SPECIAL TYPES OF LENSES
 Good for fingerprint photography or
1. Macro Lenses document (high contrast).
 The word “macro” is derived from Greek 4. Minicopy Film - Film with limited
word which means “to enlarge”. enlargement capability.
 In photographic terms, a macro lens is 5. Polaroid film - Contains chemicals for
designed with extended focusing developing and fixation. A special type of
capabilities to shoot a few inches from the sensitized material that produces a
subject. (Close up phtography)
photograph immediately after exposure.
2. Zoom Lenses
 Allow quick adjustment to give a wide or 6. Color Film - All film ending in “COLOR”.
narrow field of vision. a. Color Negatives – for prints, ends in word
“COLOR”
SHUTTER
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 b. Color Transparency – for slides, ends in It is that sensitized material that will record the
the word “CHROME”. visible image in the final development and
7. Color Infra-red Film become the photograph.
 A special type of film which is sensitive to TYPES OF PHOTOGRAPHIC PAPERS
infra-red radiation.
 It is also sensitive to violet and blue-green. A. According to Emulsion Used (Silver
8. X-ray Film halides content)
 A material which is sensitive to x-ray
1. Silver Chloride paper - used for contact
region of electromagnetic spectrum.
printing,
FILM SPEED (EMULSION SPEED) 2. Silver Bromide paper - used projection,
printing and enlarging process. The most
Emulsion Speed - refers to the degree of ideal photo papers used for police
sensitivity of the film to light. photography.
3. Silver Chloro-bromide paper - used both
1. ASA (American Standards Association) - for projection and contact printing. Slow
this is expressed in arithmetic value emulsion.
system. The bigger the number the more
sensitive the film is. Contrast Range or Grade
2. DIN (Deutche Industri Normen) - expressed
1. Numbers 0 to 1 are used in over-exposed or
in Logarithmic value system. Used in the
low contrast negatives.
same principle as the ASA.
a. Velox No. 0 - used for printing extremely
3. ISO (International Standard Organization) contrast negative or extremely exposed
- expressed as combination of ASA and film.
DIN rating. b. Velox No. 1 - used for high contrast
The different emulsion speed ratings are: negative (over exposed film)
2. Number 2 are used in normal exposed or
normal contrast negatives.
ASA DIN ISO
12 12° 12/12° 3. Numbers 3 to 5 are used in under-exposed
or high contrast negatives.
25 15° 25/15°
50 18° 50/18° a. Velox No. 3 - used for negative with weak
100 21° 100/21° contrast (under exposed)
b. Velox No. 4 - used to provide sufficient
200 24° 200/24°
contrast to compensate for very thin or
400 27° 400/27° weak negatives. It is useful imprinting
800 30° 800/30° which high contrast is desired.
c. Velox No. 5 - for flat negative that are
unprintable.
CLASSIFICATION OF FILMS
1. Slow films - These range from ASA 25 (or CHEMICAL PROCESSING
lower) to approximately ASA 80.
STAGES OF CHEMICAL PROCESSING
2. Medium-speed films - From about ASA 100
to 250, a film falls between slow and fast. 1. DEVELOPMENT
3. Fast films - From ASA 250 to 400 is the fast  The process by which an invisible latent
speed range. image in an emulsion is made visible.
4. Superfast films - There are only a few  Use of either D-76 (film), Dektol (photo
superfast films in the ASA 1000 to 3200 paper) or Universal Solution (both)
range.  It is the process necessary for reducing
the silver halides to form the image.
PHOTOGRAPHIC PAPER
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  Elon, Hydroquenone - used as main
developing agents. GENERAL TYPES OF PHOTOGRAPHIC
2. STOP BATH PRINTING
 Intermediate bath that is being used to 1. Contact Printing
prevent contamination between the  Direct contact with the negative
developer and the acid fixer.  This is the simplest and the most
3. FIXATION economical method of photographic
 process of removing unexposed and printing.
underdeveloped silver halide crystals after 2. Projection Printing or Enlarging
the first stage of development.  the image in a negative is optically or
 Sodium Thiosulfate (hypo) is the main enlarges onto a print material for exposure
fixing agent that dissolves unexposed silver to produce a picture image.
halides.
ENLARGER PARTS AND FUNCTIONS:
DARK ROOM PHOTOGRAPHY 1. Enlarger Head – the main working part of
Darkroom – A light tight room used for enlarger contains: Light, condenser, lens,
developing film making contact print and negative holder, the lens itself.
enlargement. 2. Lamp – sources of light that passes through
FAULTS AND REMEDY ON NEGATIVES: the negative that exposed photo paper.

1. Intensification – the addition of minute part of 3.Condenser Lens – lens that spread the light
another metal usually chromium or mercury on coming from the lamp of the enlarger.
the top of the metallic silver formed to strengthen 4.Negative carrier – hold the negative flat and
contrast to obtain good density. Use in under level.
exposed negative
5. Lens Aperture – the opening of the lens that
2. Reduction – the reducing of density in the control rays of light passing through it.
negative-overexposed negatives potassium ferry
cyanide and sodium thiosulphate or Hypo or 6. Lens – it is the one responsible in forming the
Farmer’s Reducer. Usually used in over exposed image coming from the negative.
negatives
7. Focusing Mechanism – it moves the lens up
and down to focus the projected image.

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING 8. Enlarger Column – it is the holder of the

enlarger head and commonly serves as a rail in
PRINTMAKING PROCESS controlling the height of enlarger head.
1. Printmaking – the final stage in making
photograph. 9. Elevating Control Knob – control size of
2. Enlarger – It is a machine used in making image by raising or lowering the enlarger head.
enlargement. 10. Base Board – the support of the entire unit
3. Contact Printing – photograph is made of the enlarger.
through direct negative and paper contact.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN SELECTING SPECIAL TECHNIQUES IN PRINTING
NEGATIVE: 1. Dodging - is the process of eliminating
Density – is the degree of darkness of the unwanted portion of the negative during
image developed – too dark or to light. enlarging.
2. Contrast – is the different of tone from 2. Cropping - is the process of omitting an object
another. during the process of enlarging and printing.

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3. Vignetting - is the gradual fading of the image  The larger the f-number, the smaller the
towards the side through skillful adjustment on aperture
the dodging board. Principle in Shutter Speed
4. Dye toning - is the process designed in  The higher the number, the faster the
changing the color tone of the photograph. shutter speed
5. Burning-In - refers to additional exposure on a Principle in Film Sensitivity
desired portion of the negative used for  The higher the number, the more
purposes of making a balance exposure.
sensitive/faster the film.

EXPOSURE TRIANGLE

Exposure – is the product of illumination and

time.
CRIME SCENEPHOTOGRAPHY

The first application of photography in law

enforcement was confined to the problems of
personal identification.
Crime Scene - A place where the crime was
perpetrated and physical evidence found thereat.
GUIDE AND PRINCIPLES TO CONSIDER IN NOTE: Upon arrival at the crime scene,
photograph the whole area before anything is
EXAMPLE OF NORMAL EXPOSURE moved. Take shots from different angles to show
the whole area.
FILM LIGHTING CONDITION
SPEED Five Legal Methods of Preserving the Crime
Scene
BRIGHT HAZY SUN DULL SUN 1. Photography
SUN 2. Sketching
3. Notes taking or description
ISO 1/125 f-11 f-8 f-5.6 4. Manikin method- molding/casting
100/21˚
5. Preservation in the mind of the witness
ISO 1/250 f-11 f-8 f-5.6 Importance of Photography in Law
200/24˚ Enforcement

1/125 f-11 f-11 f-8 1. The utmost use of it is a record purpose.

Photography will record the scene of the
ISO 1/500 f-11 f-8 f-5.6 crime permanently.
400/27˚ 2. Photography can preserve all perishable
evidence like contusion in the cases.
1/250 f-16 f-11 f-8

1/125 f-22 f-16 f-11 GUIDELINES IN TAKING PHOTOGRAPH AT

THE CRIME SCENE
EXPOSURE 1. Establish Shot
Principle in Relative Aperture 2. The building
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3. The Entrance Requirement of a Photograph Admitted as
4. The Hallway Evidence in Court
5. The Room
BASIC
6. Close Up
a. Object Attacked • Accurate Representations
b. The Weapon or Tools Used and
• Material and Relevant
c. Significant Clues
• Authenticity
PROCEDURE OF TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS AT
OTHER FACTORS
THE CRIME SCENE
• Free of Distortion
1. GENERAL VIEW or Long-Range View –
• Unbiased
this is used to established the overall scene
of the crime scene. Note: The requirement on the law on “accuracy”
2. MEDIUM VIEW or Mid-Range View – this is is not mathematical but substantive.
used to divide the scene into sections, the
best view to show the nature of crime. Also
used in identifying the proper location of Points of Objection on the Admissibility of a
evidence gathered within. Photograph
3. CLOSE-UP SHOT – used to emphasize the • Accuracy of Color
details of the crime scene and different
physical evidence found in the crime scene. • Alterations on negatives or on prints
4. EXTREME CLOSE-UP SHOT – used in • Computer generated image
emphasizing and showing the details in
every piece of evidence that requires • Enlargements
magnification. • Errors in printing
• Equipment
Techniques for Demonstrating Evidence • Lighting
Prints
Legal Foundation of Photographic Evidence
1. Composite Exhibits- this consist of two
photographs placed side by side to show 1. Black and White Photographs
points of similarities or differences. This is 1859- Daguerreotype was used in a civil
generally used in the comparison of case, Lueo vs. United States, 23 Howard
fingerprint or handwriting. 515 to decide on the authenticity of
2. Matching photographs- this is another photographs in comparing signatures.
technique of illustrating similarities. Place 1874- in Criminal case introducing
a part of one photograph over and in photograph as identification evidence,
careful alignment with the other. Used in Underzook vs. Commonwealth, 76 PA 340.
toolmarks, shells, pair illustrations or in 2. Color Photographs
matching glass fragments or paint chips. 1943- Civil Litigations Green vs. City and
3. Matching Transparencies- this is used to Country of Denver, 3 Colo 390 142 P.2. D.
show objects have identical outline. A 277 involving color photography of spoiled
meat in violation of health ordinance
positive transparency of one is placed over
prohibiting the sale of putrid meat to the
the other, adjusted so the outline coincides,
public.
like in proving traced forgery.

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 1960- in Criminal case, State vs. Conte 157
Comm. 251 A 2. D 81 showing the graphic
wound of the victim.
Legal Foundation of Digital Photography

1. R.A 8792 (E-Commerce Law)

Acting on the memorandum dated June 18, 2001
of the committee on the Revision of rules of court
to draft on the E-Commerce Law (R.A 8792) the
Supreme Court, En Banc, approved the said
resolution.

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 KINDS OF PHOTOGRAPHY AND ITS 12. Thermo/Thermal photography – A kind of
APPLICATION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT photo where we use laser beam radiation
FIELD using laser beam film.
13. Aerial photography–A kind of photography
1. Photomicrography - The art of applied for photo mapping. Taking of
photographing minutes objects when photograph above the subject.
magnified by means of a microscope and 14. Underwater photography – photographing
enlarge from 10 times and up. It is used things under water.
usually in question documents and Fire Arm 15. Finger Print Photography – Deals with the
Identification. application of macro-photography so as to
2. Photomacrography/macrophotography – produces an enlargement of finger print for
Type of photography that directly enlarged on comparison purposes.
the negative and magnified from 1 to 9 times. 16. Firearm Identification photography –
Commonly used in Personal Identification like Deals with the photographing of firearm
finger print, foot print, palm print, shells and bullet. It is also where
tube/extension bilus. (Macro lens) photomicrography is applied.
3. Microphotography – The process of 17. Question Document photography- process
reducing big object or things of minute of photographing document for purposes of
object. The photographer uses a special examination and as a substitute for duplicate
negative known as a microfilm to preserve copy when original is lost and the purpose of
the images. duplicate photograph is to establish the
4. Crime Scene Photography – Deals with the contents of the lost original document.
photographing the scene of the crime or 18. Arson and Questionable Fire photography
details of perpetuated crime. – It is the willful and malicious burning of
5. Surveillance Photography – Deals with property, usually a building or dwelling unit.
photographing individual without his
knowledge, such as the same in clandestine
photography. Forensic Applications of Infra red
6. Infrared Photography – deals with the photography
photographing of object visible, divisible, 1. Chemical erasures in questioned
invisible even with haze. documents examinations
7. Ultra-Violet Photography – deals with the 2. Obliterated writings
photographing of object or markings which is 3. Charred or burn documents
invisible using reflected or fluorescent. 4. Presence of gunpowder on skin or
8. X-Ray Photography – deals with clothing of a victim that is covered with
photographing of hidden object or things. dried blood.
9. Traffic Accident Photography – deals with 5. Blackout photography or the taking of
the photographing of traffic incident or photograph in total darkness.
occurrence especially in a vehicular accident.
10. Investigative Photography – deals with the Forensic Applications of Ultra violet
study of the concept of photography its photography
application to law enforcement or
investigation process and the preparation of
a. Fingerprint in multi-colored
photographic evidence for court presentation.
background
11. Mug-shot Photography – Deals with the b. Questioned document
study of photographing individual for examination particularly on
identification purposes.
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 chemical erasures, deciphering of
erased writings or figures, etc.
c. Detection of presence of semen
covered with blood on clothing or
undergarments in alleged rape
case.
d. Examination of precious stones in
case of fraud.
e. Presence of fluorescence powder
in the hands of a suspect in cases
of entrapment of extortion.

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