Forensic Photographer Crime Scene Imaging & Documentation Flashcards

In photogrammetry-based crime scene reconstruction, what is the minimum recommended number of photographs of a single object from different positions to generate an accurate 3D model?

Answer: At least 20-30 overlapping images covering all surfaces with 60-80% overlap

Photogrammetric 3D reconstruction requires dense overlapping coverage (20-30+ images with 60-80% overlap) to give the software enough common feature points for accurate model generation.

A forensic photographer uses a drone to document an outdoor mass casualty scene. Which regulatory requirement must be met before flight in the U.S.?

Answer: FAA Part 107 remote pilot certification or a Certificate of Waiver/Authorization for restricted airspace

FAA Part 107 requires commercial UAS operators to hold a Remote Pilot Certificate, and flights in controlled or restricted airspace require a waiver or authorization from the FAA.

When photographing gunshot residue (GSR) on a victim's hands, why is it critical to photograph before any swabbing or SEM collection?

Answer: Photographing first documents the distribution pattern that is destroyed during collection

GSR distribution patterns on the hand provide information about firing position and distance; collection swabbing destroys the spatial distribution that photographs alone can preserve.

A forensic photographer is asked to re-photograph a scene two weeks after the initial crime scene investigation. What is the primary legal concern?

Answer: The scene may have changed substantially, making the images potentially misleading without proper disclosure

Any changes to the scene between the crime date and re-photography must be fully disclosed because altered conditions could mislead the jury about the original scene state.

What is the recommended camera orientation when photographing long, linear evidence such as a blood trail or drag mark?

Answer: Orient the camera to capture the longest dimension along the frame's long axis, with scale alongside

Aligning the camera orientation with the long axis of linear evidence maximizes frame use and keeps the scale visible alongside the evidence throughout its length.

During low-light crime scene photography, a photographer uses a 30-second exposure ('painting with light'). What key documentation step must accompany these images?

Answer: Notes must record the light source type, direction, number of passes, and total coverage area

Painting with light introduces variables (direction, intensity, coverage) that are not captured in EXIF data, so detailed notes are required for the technique to be reproducible and explainable in court.

Which of the following represents the BEST practice for maintaining chain of custody for digital forensic photographs during a major investigation?

Answer: Using write-protected media, creating verified hash-value copies, and maintaining a signed transfer log

Write-protected media prevents accidental alteration, hash values prove integrity, and a signed transfer log documents every person who accessed the digital evidence.