Forensic Photographer Evidence Preservation & Analysis Flashcards
7 cards from real CFP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Forensic Photographer Evidence Preservation & Analysis flashcards as text
Ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) photography are used in evidence analysis primarily to do what?
Answer: Visualize details invisible in normal light, such as bruising, altered documents, or gunshot residue
Alternate light and IR/UV imaging reveal absorption and reflection differences that expose evidence the eye cannot see under white light.
When photographing luminol or other chemiluminescent reactions, which approach is required?
Answer: Long exposure on a tripod in darkness, with a reference exposure of the same area under normal light
The faint glow needs a stabilized long exposure in darkness, paired with a normal-light image so the reaction's location can be oriented in the scene.
What metadata embedded in a digital image file is most useful for authentication?
Answer: Capture date, time, camera settings, and device identifiers recorded in EXIF data
EXIF metadata corroborates when, how, and with what equipment an image was made, supporting its authenticity.
A defense expert claims a scene photograph misrepresents distances. Which capture practice best defends against this challenge?
Answer: Having used a normal focal length lens and documented camera positions rather than extreme wide-angle or telephoto views
Normal focal lengths approximate human perspective, and documented camera positions let spatial relationships be verified.
How should original digital evidence images be archived for long-term preservation?
Answer: On secure, redundant, write-protected storage with restricted, logged access
Long-term integrity requires redundant, access-controlled, write-once storage so originals cannot be altered or lost.
In autopsy photography, injuries should first be photographed in what condition?
Answer: As found, before cleaning, and then again after the wound is cleaned
Photographing before and after cleaning documents both the original condition with trace evidence and the injury's true nature.
What is the purpose of a color reference chart or gray card in evidence photography?
Answer: To allow accurate color and exposure calibration during analysis and printing
A standard color or gray reference in-frame lets analysts correct color balance so evidence like bruises or stains is rendered accurately.