From documenting a homicide scene to recording the detail of a bite mark, photographs can communicate more about crime scenes and the appearance of evidence than the written report. Photography is a valuable tool for recording the crime scene and explaining evidence to others.

The Crime Scene and Evidence Photographer's Guide is designed to be a field reference for those responsible for photography at the crime scene. It may be used by law enforcement officers, investigators, and crime scene technicians. It contains instructions for photographing a variety of crimes scenes and various types of evidence. It is a valuable reference tool when combined with training and experience. The Crime Scene and Evidence Photographer's Guide is also a helpful resource for students and others interested in entering into the field of crime scene investigation.

The Crime Scene and Evidence Photographer's Guide is a practical and concise field handbook for crime scene and evidence photography. Designed to be carried in an evidence kit or camera bag, this 66 page, 5 ½" by 8 ½" publication contains step-by-step instructions for photographing crime scenes and evidence. It includes 42 example photographs, eight diagrams, and three tables. Sections in the guide include:

Cameras and Lighting Techniques

• Technical photography techniques
• Flash illumination
• Flash fill
• Painting with light
• Available light photography

Photographing Crime Scenes

• The three step approach
  Overview photographs
  Mid-range photographs
  Close-up photographs
• Using video to record crime scenes
• Records of photographs

Photographing Specific Types of Crime Scenes

• Homicide, suicide and autopsy photography
• Gunshot wounds
• Domestic violence, assaults and injuries
• Property crimes
• Arson and fire scenes
• Traffic collisions
• Technical photographs of damage to vehicles

Photographing Evidence

• Close-up photography
• Lighting methods for close up photography
• Impression photography
• Fingerprint photography
• Bloodstain photography
• Laser and ALS photography
• Tool marks and serial numbers

Basic Equipment

• Crime scene photography kit
• Other recommended equipment

And More!

About the Author

Steven Staggs has been in law enforcement for 30 years and has extensive experience in crime scene photography and identification. He has testified in superior court concerning his crime scene, evidence, and autopsy photography and has handled high profile cases including a nationally publicized serial homicide case.

For the past 18 years Steve has been a forensic photography instructor and has trained more than 3,000 crime scene technicians and investigators for police and sheriffs departments, district attorneys offices, and federal agencies. He is also a guest speaker for investigators' associations and provides consulting to law enforcement agencies.

Steve was prompted to write the Crime Scene and Evidence Photographer's Guide in response to requests by crime scene investigators and forensic photographers who desired a practical and concise field handbook for crime scene and evidence photography.