CFP Technology & Tools 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which camera sensor characteristic most directly determines the ability to capture fine detail in a fingerprint examination-quality photograph?
- Sensor resolution (pixel count relative to subject area) (Correct answer)
- ISO range of the sensor
- Sensor color depth
- Shutter type (mechanical vs electronic)
Correct answer: Sensor resolution (pixel count relative to subject area)
Examination-quality images require sufficient pixel resolution across the subject, typically 1000 ppi for fingerprints.
Question 2: A forensic photographer needs to document a shoe impression in soil. Which lighting tool and technique is most appropriate?
- Off-camera flash held at a low oblique angle (Correct answer)
- On-camera ring flash pointed straight down
- Continuous overhead fluorescent panel
- Camera's built-in pop-up flash
Correct answer: Off-camera flash held at a low oblique angle
Low-angle oblique lighting from an off-camera flash creates shadows that reveal three-dimensional impression detail.
Question 3: What is the primary advantage of capturing crime scene images in RAW format rather than JPEG?
- RAW retains unprocessed sensor data, allowing lossless adjustment and stronger authentication (Correct answer)
- RAW files are smaller and faster to transfer
- RAW images are automatically color-corrected in camera
- RAW files cannot be opened by defense experts
Correct answer: RAW retains unprocessed sensor data, allowing lossless adjustment and stronger authentication
RAW preserves all original sensor data without lossy compression, supporting both image quality and evidentiary integrity.
Question 4: Which filter is typically paired with an alternate light source (ALS) at 450 nm to visualize fluorescing biological stains?
- Orange or yellow barrier filter (Correct answer)
- Circular polarizing filter
- Neutral density filter
- Infrared-pass filter
Correct answer: Orange or yellow barrier filter
An orange or yellow barrier filter blocks the reflected blue excitation light so only the fluorescence is recorded.
Question 5: When photographing evidence at a 1:1 reproduction ratio, which piece of equipment is essential?
- A macro lens capable of life-size magnification (Correct answer)
- A wide-angle lens with distortion correction
- A telephoto zoom lens at maximum focal length
- A fisheye lens with in-camera cropping
Correct answer: A macro lens capable of life-size magnification
True macro lenses achieve 1:1 magnification, rendering the subject at life size on the sensor.
Question 6: A tripod-mounted camera with a remote shutter release is most critical in which forensic scenario?
- Long-exposure painting-with-light photography of a nighttime outdoor scene (Correct answer)
- Handheld overall photographs in daylight
- Quick candid photos of bystanders
- Photographing a moving vehicle in traffic
Correct answer: Long-exposure painting-with-light photography of a nighttime outdoor scene
Long exposures require complete camera stability, which the tripod and remote release provide by eliminating touch-induced vibration.
Question 7: What is the function of a color checker or gray card included in evidence photographs?
- It provides a reference for accurate white balance and color reproduction (Correct answer)
- It marks the photographer's identity
- It hides sensitive areas of the scene
- It increases the camera's dynamic range
Correct answer: It provides a reference for accurate white balance and color reproduction
A calibrated gray card or color chart lets examiners correct color and exposure to true values later.
CFP Technology & Tools 2
Which camera sensor characteristic most directly determines the ability to capture fine detail in a fingerprint examination-quality photograph?