CFP Forensic Photographer Crime Scene Imaging & Documentation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which photographic technique is specifically recommended for documenting bloodstain pattern evidence on a floor?
- Oblique lighting from a single side-mounted flash
- Overhead orthogonal photography with a scale placed parallel to the surface (Correct answer)
- Wide-angle lens from standing height without flash
- Fisheye lens for full-room documentation
Correct answer: Overhead orthogonal photography with a scale placed parallel to the surface
Bloodstain patterns on floors require straight-down (orthogonal) photography with a scale in the same plane as the stains to allow accurate measurement and pattern analysis.
Question 2: A forensic photographer is asked to photograph a decomposed body in a wooded area during bright midday sun. What is the best approach to avoid harsh shadows obscuring detail?
- Use a polarizing filter to eliminate glare
- Diffuse the light with a fill flash or reflector to balance harsh sunlight (Correct answer)
- Shoot in RAW and increase exposure in post-processing
- Wait until golden hour for better natural light
Correct answer: Diffuse the light with a fill flash or reflector to balance harsh sunlight
Using fill flash or a reflector balances harsh midday shadows, revealing surface detail without destroying evidentiary integrity by waiting or altering the scene.
Question 3: Which metadata field is most important for establishing the temporal sequence of photographs in a disputed crime scene reconstruction?
- Camera model (Make)
- File name prefix
- Date/Time Original (EXIF DateTimeOriginal) (Correct answer)
- Image resolution (PixelXDimension)
Correct answer: Date/Time Original (EXIF DateTimeOriginal)
EXIF DateTimeOriginal records the exact moment of capture and is the primary metadata field used to establish the sequence and timeline of crime scene documentation.
Question 4: When using a scale (ruler) in forensic close-up photographs, it must be placed at what position relative to the evidence?
- Adjacent to the evidence at a 45-degree angle
- In the same plane as the evidence being photographed (Correct answer)
- Above the evidence to avoid contact
- Below the camera lens for reference
Correct answer: In the same plane as the evidence being photographed
The scale must lie in the exact same focal plane as the evidence to prevent parallax distortion that would make measurements inaccurate.
Question 5: A crime scene photographer is documenting an arson scene. Which lens choice best documents burn pattern depth and three-dimensionality on charred structural elements?
- Fisheye (8mm) for maximum coverage
- Macro lens for extreme close-up detail
- Standard 50mm with oblique raking light (Correct answer)
- Telephoto (200mm) from a safe distance
Correct answer: Standard 50mm with oblique raking light
A standard focal length with raking (oblique) light emphasizes surface texture, burn depth, and char patterns more effectively than wide or telephoto options.
Question 6: What is the evidentiary significance of photographing a crime scene before any agency personnel enter or disturb the scene?
- It reduces the number of photographs required overall
- It documents the scene in its original, undisturbed state for court presentation (Correct answer)
- It satisfies chain-of-custody requirements for the camera
- It allows faster evidence collection by technicians
Correct answer: It documents the scene in its original, undisturbed state for court presentation
Undisturbed scene photographs establish the original condition of the scene and protect against defense challenges that evidence was moved or planted after arrival.
Question 7: When photographing a footwear impression in soft soil, which two-step technique is used to capture maximum detail before casting?
- Shoot wide-angle first, then telephoto without flash
- Photograph with oblique/raking light first, then with flash fill, both with scale (Correct answer)
- Shoot in JPEG first, then switch to RAW for close-ups
- Use UV light first, then normal white light
Correct answer: Photograph with oblique/raking light first, then with flash fill, both with scale
Oblique raking light reveals three-dimensional detail in the impression, while a second set with fill flash captures overall visibility; both sets include a scale for measurement reference.
CFP Forensic Photographer Crime Scene Imaging & Documentation 3
Which photographic technique is specifically recommended for documenting bloodstain pattern evidence on a floor?