Forensic Photography
| Publication year | 1986 |
| Pages | 1823 |
| Citation | Vol. 15 No. 10 Pg. 1823 |
1986, October, Pg. 1823. Forensic Photography
As society becomes visually oriented, the old adage that "photographs don't lie" is more generally accepted. This makes photographs used as evidence more credible. Studies have shown that jurors not only believe visual evidence more readily than other types of evidence, but retain information presented by a combination of visual or verbal means for longer than if visual or verbal methods are presented alone.
Photographs are used to obtain and preserve information by serving as permanent records of some specific scene or item. They serve to capture the detailed appearance of items or scenes which may not specifically be observed at the time the photograph was made, but which later may become important.
Photographs help to recall to mind things and relationships, and facilitate explanation at a later time. They make excellent aids to memory, and assist in recalling events and situations which may have occurred some time before. Additionally, photographs are useful in documenting property damage or injury to persons. This damage and injury could be repaired or healed before the victim is able to testify in court.
Photographs can be used to explain things which normally could not be introduced, such as items too large to bring into court, evidence items destroyed during testing, and dangerous items such as explosives, radioactives and hazardous or toxic chemicals. Photographs also can be used to document out-of-court experiments and medical treatment, including therapy and the recovery progress of victims.
This article provides a general overview of the field of forensic photography. It should assist the trial attorney in evaluating the use of photographs as evidence.
The recent explosive growth in the "hobby" 35mm photography industry has made cameras available to a large segment of the population. This growth has created a new generation of photographers, most of whom are equipped with auto-program 35mm cameras with "normal" lenses. The expansion of photographic awareness has also tended to simplify, in the minds of some, the exacting technical requirements necessary to obtain clear, accurate photographs for use as evidence. This has led some attorneys to believe that, rather than hiring an expert...
To continue reading
Request your trial