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Photography In The Forensic Science Field

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The title of the position I will be looking at in the forensic science field is Photography. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and the Kansas City Missouri Police Department both use digital photography as part of their crime scene sketch/photography in the crime scene processing unit. What made me interested in a career in forensic photography or crime scene photography was watching different shows such as Crime Scene Investigation and Naval Crime Investigative Service in watching all the different characters do all the different crime scene investigative work.
Crime Scene Photography is an activity that records the initial appearance of the crime scene and physical evidence, in order to provide a permanent record for the courts. …show more content…

This, however, was solely experimental and was yet to be ruled by technical or legal regulations. The shots ranged from mug shot resemblances, to prisoners in their cells; and the purpose of them also varied from documentation to experimentation. There was no training required and pictures were often taken by amateurs, commercial photographers, and even policemen or prison officials. By the 1870s, the practice had spread to many countries, though limited to larger cities. Professional photographers would then be employed to take posed portraits of the criminals. This was early evidence that led to the standard mug shot know today and was unlike any previously known portraiture. Though there was no set standard yet, there was rarely creativity employed with lighting or angle. This was not like photographing portraits of families or children …show more content…

Though this type of forensic photography was also created for the purpose of documenting, identifying and convicting, it allows more room for creative interpretation and variance of style. It includes taking pictures of the victim (scars, wounds, birthmarks, etc.) for the purpose of identification or conviction; and pictures of the scene (placement of objects, position of body, photos of evidence and fingerprints). The development of this type of forensic photography is responsible for radical changes in the field, including public involvement (crime photos appearing in the newspaper) and new interpretations and purposes of the field

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