Crime Scene Investigator Network Newsletter

FEBRUARY 2007

Welcome to the February 2007 Crime Scene Investigator Network Newsletter

Nighttime Accident and Crime Scene Photography
"Painting With Light"

Robert E. Kramer
Detective
Cedar Falls Police Department

Photographs taken at the scene of a traffic accident are a most critical part of the investigation. Most law enforcement investigators are familiar with the term: "...a true and accurate depiction of the scene..." It is important that law enforcement personnel assigned the task of photographing traffic accidents understand more than just the basics of camera operations and film exposure, so that photographs taken will truly represent the scene as it was at the time of the investigation. It will be the purpose of this article to address many of the problems facing the law enforcement photographer at the scene of a nighttime traffic accident or crime scene. Since this article will deal with the specific technique of painting with light, a basic knowledge of camera operations and accessory functions is necessary.

Difficulty Factors
Olympic competitors are confronted with difficulty factors as they perform their gymnastic and diving exercises. It could probably be argued that most novice swimmers could stand at the edge of a three meter board and complete a simple dive into the pool with some degree of grace. The same can be said for the beginning photography student. Simple photographic situations such as those during the daytime with a bright sun and high sky are easily mastered. It's when a factor such as steady rain, heavy snow, a bright sun low on the horizon, or nighttime is encountered that the photographer is truly put to test. My experience has found that the nighttime traffic accident is one of the more challenging scenes to photograph, particularly when skidmarks and/or other evidence is scattered over a great distance. Simply put, the camera does not see what you see. Have you every stood outside under the stars and noticed that, up to a certain point, you tend to see more clearly as time passes? Your camera cannot do this. The adjustments you as the photographer make in such things as camera position, time of exposure, and supplemental lighting will be the deciding elements as to whether your camera allows the film to "see" as you do.

Equipment
The key to any law enforcement investigation is to be prepared, and photography is no different. Preparedness includes necessary training, but the classroom needs to be followed with equipping the student with the proper tools. For this reason, the following items are suggested as essential to any camera kit, and in particularly, one to be used for nighttime accident work. The function of each item, and reasons for being crucial in nighttime accident photography will be discussed in detail.

< read the complete article and view example photographs >

Featured Forensic Program

Featured Product

New CSI and Forensic Job Announcements

Police Crime Scene Specialist | Scottsdale, Arizona Police Department
Final Filing Date: February 23, 2007
Salary: $34,652 - $50,252 per year
Visually and physically examines and investigates all types of crime scenes for the recognition, collection, preservation and presentation of physical evidence such as latent fingerprints, shoeprints, tire tracks, body fluids, hair and fibers, weapons (including handling live firearms), and other materials in stressful and unpleasant environments. Recognizes hazardous and emergency situations. Measures and diagrams crime scenes. Prepares and utilizes various chemicals, powders, casting materials and compounds used in the field to test and/or recover latent, biological or other evidence. Photographs various types of crime scenes and evidence; processes for latent fingerprints using various powders; casts shoe impressions and other evidence preserving techniques as required.
<View complete job listing>

Forensic Imaging Specialist | Anchorage, Alaska Police Department
Final Filing Date: February 23, 2007
Salary: $14.67 per hour
Act as librarian of digital image database for the Operations Division of the Anchorage Police Department. To include development of images, scanning film, electronic transfer of images to Network Storage area, application of security, run routine backup and archiving of images. Calibrate and export images as needed, utilizing appropriate equipment and processes. Receive and process requests for case photographs from various prosecuting and law enforcement agencies, as well as from the public. Maintain records and billing information for photographic services as needed. Use advance forensic imaging techniques to capture evidence for law enforcement. Operate and maintain computers, scanners, printers, electronic lighting system, alternate light sources, copy stands, cameras, and specialized computer application to perform photographic duties as needed. Assist and advise others with photography, photographic equipment, computer applications and evidence record keeping. Provide training as requested. Keep current on Digital Imaging/Photographic technology and equipment. Incorporate new technology and information updates into established department policies and procedures relating to collection and maintenance of photographic evidence. Perform operator maintenance and repair on imaging equipment. Mix chemicals for use in film developing and printing processes. Maintain inventory of supplies to operate imaging unit. Assist Latent Print Examiner and Crime Lab Technician as needed.
<View complete job listing>

Latent Fingerprint Technician | Fort Worth, Texas Police Department
Final Filing Date: February 16, 2007
Salary: $16.23 - $22.91 per hour
Major duties include examining latent fingerprints for quality and developing latent prints for comparison with known suspects or for entry into AFIS. The successful candidate should be qualified as an expert witness in court of law in the area of fingerprint and evidence processing. AFIS technicians receive technical guidance and supervision from a Forensic Scientist assigned to the Latent Print Section and general supervision from the laboratory supervisor.
<View complete job listing>

Criminalist I & Trainee | San Bernardino County, California Sheriff's Department
Final Filing Date: March 5, 2007
Salary: $4,006 to $5,781 per month
The County of San Bernardino, Sheriff’s Department, is recruiting for Criminalists who perform laboratory examinations of physical evidence to establish facts of criminal investigations, and participate in crime scene investigations using forensic knowledge and techniques in gathering, preserving, and examining physical evidence.
<View complete job listing>

Search for more job listings in Crime Scene Investigations and Forensics
<Crime Scene Investigator Network Employment Listings>

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Online CSI Certificate and Degree Programs

Several certificate and degree programs are available online including Criminal Investigation (CSI), Forensic Psychology, Forensic Nursing, Economic Crime Investigation, and others. Check the listings on the Crime Scene Investigator Network and receive free information regarding these online programs.

Search for online University and College programs
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CSI In The News

<This just in: ‘CSI’ isn’t the real world>
DNA is the hot topic in forensic science, but such evidence isn’t used in most criminal cases.
Napa Valley Register, By PETER NEUFELD and BARRY SCHECK

<CSI Effect: Part Two>
In real life, we at the Jacksonville Police Department have four officers assigned as detectives. The detectives are assigned specific cases. They work on these cases alone. We do not have partners, although the detectives do assist each other when needed. Most of the time, we work alone.
Jacksonville Daily Progress, by Tonya Sonntag

<Rural Illinois counties struggling to pay costs of autopsies>
For more than two decades, Gallatin County Coroner Tony Cox has seen the cost of autopsies squeeze already financially strapped jurisdictions like his in southeastern Illinois. Across the country, he says, there are just 400 board-certified forensic pathologists, and their concentration in large cities leaves only a dwindling number to cover rural areas.
ABC 7 Chicago

<Evasive evidence>
It's a safe bet that a police evidence tech's favorite television show is anything but a “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” or “Law & Order” spin-off. Officers laugh over crime laboratories depicted as dark and moody settings when laboratories are filled with light for the examination of evidence. Officers vent that the popular rise of crime dramas have given the public a false sense that evidence-gathering technology will always result in pristine results.
The Citizen, By Amaris Elliott-Engel

<Mount Olive College introduces degree program to train next generation of CSIs>
Mount Olive College has made a $400,000 investment in state-of-the-art equipment to support a new forensics science major that will be introduced in the fall. Popular television shows like CSI and Cold Case have prompted a surge of interest in the field, with more college students pursuing careers as criminalists. But the reality is not as glamorous, says Dr. Michael McCann, associate professor of chemistry hired to head up the new program.
Goldsboro News-Argus, By Phyllis Moore

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