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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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
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
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.
results of the forensic anthropology. For instance, if a crime is committed at a certain scene,
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.
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.
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
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...
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.
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.
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
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.
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
“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,
“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...
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.