1st Edition
Practical Forensic Digital Imaging Applications and Techniques
Well-documented scenes can prove to be invaluable pieces of evidence at trial, and the ability to take compelling photographs is a critical skill for forensic scientists and investigators. Practical Forensic Digital Imaging: Applications and Techniques is an up-to-date and thorough treatment of digital imaging in the forensic sciences. Balancing practical considerations with scientific and standards-based requirements, the book’s clear, concise presentation illustrates the essentials of digital imaging required by professionals in the field.
Enhanced with crisp color photos, the book covers a host of critical topics, including:
Covering the full range of scenarios that forensic professionals encounter, the author includes special sections dedicated to photography involving footwear and tire impressions, vehicles, death and morgue scenes, and taphonomic and entomological imaging, as well as fingerprints, burglaries, fire and arson, sex offenses, blood, and trace evidence and microscopy. The techniques in this volume enable photographers to capture the images that will not only tell the story, but will also stand up in court.
Watch Patrick Jones in his laboratory on the CRC Press YouTube channel.
Documentation
Digital Imaging
Forensic Digital Imaging
The Transition from 35-mm Film to Digital Imaging
Introduction
4 × 5 Sheet Film Cameras
The 120 Roll Film Cameras
The 35-mm SLR
Other Camera Types
The Snapshot Camera
The Polaroid Camera
The Disposable or Single-Use Camera
Film
Proper Evidentiary Handling and Storage of Film
Digital Camera Hardware
The Digital Point-and-Shoot Camera
The Digital Camera Body
The Menu
Image Numbering
The Lenses
Aperture
Focusing the SLR Camera
Aperture Preview
Shutter
Exposure
Remote Shutter Release
Resolution
ASA, DIN, and ISO
Hyperfocal Distance
Digital Imaging
Introduction
Money
Protection
Cases
Camera Strap
The Ultraviolet Filter
The Camera
Flash or Strobe
Automatic versus Manual
Settings
Shutter
Slave
The "Normal" Lens
The Telephoto Lens
The Wide-Angle Lens
The Macro Lens
Lighting with the Macro Lens
Using the Flash on Your Camera
The On-and-Off Switch
Turn the Camera Upside Down
List Photo Images
The 90-Degree Rule
Perspective Images
The Scale
Exculpatory Evidence
Extreme Conditions
18% Gray Card
Light
Introduction
Ambient Light
Color Temperature
Color Rendering Index
Flash/Strobe
Direct Flash
Indirect Flash
Fill Light
Subtractive Light
Additive Light
Ambient or Available Light
Painting with Light
Ring Light
Diffusing Your On-Camera Flash with Tissue
Other Lighting Equipment
Snoot
Barn Doors
Umbrella
Filters
Introduction
Polarizing Filter
Band-Pass and Band-Block Filters
Filter Factors
Color-Compensating Filters
Kodak Light-Balancing Filters
Conversion Filters for Color Films
Stacking Filters
Neutral-Density Filters
Infrared and Ultraviolet Filters
Macro/Micro Imaging
Introduction
Photo Image Evidence at Degrees to the Object
Bench Imaging
Backgrounds
Handguns
The Scale
Studio in a Box
The Light Box
Rope Caulk
Helping Hands
The Tripod
Law
The Lay Witness
The Professional Witness
The Expert Witness
The Nature of Law
Miranda Warnings
Types of Witnesses
The Lay Witness
The Professional Witness
The Expert Witness
Qualifying an Expert Witness
General
Practice
Certification
Membership in Forensic Organizations
Studies and Continuing Education
Teaching of Forensic Science
Lectures
Publications
Research
Court Experience
Reports
Changes
Daubert
Frye
Enhancement of Images
Introduction
Scientific Working Group on Imaging Technology
History
The Mission Statement of SWGIT
Admissibility of Digital Images
"Doctored" Images
Cover Letter, Richard W. Vorder Bruegge Former SWGIT Chair
Photo Image Enhancement Log
Photoshop
ACDSee Pro
Enhancing a Latent Fingerprint
Latent Lift
Bare Footprint Developed with Ninhydrin
Footwear and Tire Impressions
Introduction
Casting
Equipment
Footwear
Tire Impressions
Digital Panoramic Camera Scanning
Scene Scanning
The System
Photogrammetry
The Scene
Panorama Imaging: Ultraviolet/Infrared
Surveillance
Preventive Measures
Death Investigation
Introduction
The Coroner or Medical Examiner
Official Photos of the Scene
The Scene
Overall or Establishing Photos
Perspective Photos
Unexpected Objects and Evidence
Types of Images Taken during a Death Investigation
Cases
Morgue Photo Imaging
Introduction
At the Scene
Universal Precautions
At the Morgue
Sequencing
Lighting
The Body
ID Photo Image
Scales
Hands
Wounds
Lividity
Scars, Marks, and Tattoos
Fingerprints
Clothing
Taphonomic and Entomological Imaging
Introduction
The Scene
The Body
Insects
Maggot Mass and Maggot Migration
Containers
Vehicles
Water Recovery
Bones
The Autopsy
Auto Process
Introduction
Exterior
Interior
Compartments and Hidey-Holes
Trunk and Engine
Fingerprints
Latent Prints
General Rules
Fingerprints on Glass
Fingerprints on Curved Glass
Feathers
Prints on Pills and Capsules
Prints on Stainless Steel
Prints on Toilet Seats
Burglary
Introduction
Exterior
Interior
Alarm
Locks
Items of Interest
Storage of Digital Media
The Media
Storage
Fire and Arson Scene
Introduction
The Scene
Lighting
Flash
Marking Areas
Point of Origin
Artifacts
Crowd
Digital Imaging
Sex Offenses
Introduction
Dispatch
The Scene
Victim at the Morgue
Victim at the Hospital
Meeting the Victim
Photo Imaging the Victim
Injuries
Bruising
Clothing
Children
Trace Evidence and Microscopy
Introduction
Images through a Microscope
Microscope Camera
The Nikon Microphot
Modification
Blood
Introduction
Luminol
Blowback: Blood in Gun Barrel
Ultraviolet and Infrared Imaging
Introduction
UV Light Sources
Body Fluids
Insects
Tattoos
Infrared Light
Fuji IS Pro UVIR Camera
Filters for Use with the Fuji IS Pro Camera
Other Considerations
Digital Photo Imaging Microscope
VHX-1000 and Forensic Inspection
Handheld Integration
Lenses
Multiangle Stand
High-Resolution Imaging
High Dynamic Range
Documentation and Measurement Tools
3D Composition and Measurement
SWGIT
Introduction
Disclaimer
Bibliography
Appendix A: Glossary
Appendix B: Photo I.D. Card
Index
Biography
Patrick Jones is the Forensic Science Laboratory director at Purdue University. In addition to managing two laboratories, he teaches Crime Scene Investigation, Introduction to Forensic Science, Criminalistics Lab, and Advanced Criminalistics Lab. Mr. Jones has more than 34 years of experience in law enforcement, forensics investigation, security, and training. As a Crime Scene Investigator (CSI), he has worked on the John Wayne Gacy case, the Larry Eyler case (both serial killers) and the Ed Ling case among many others. He lectures and presents these cases for students and interested groups. Patrick Jones is also currently a White County Indiana Deputy Coroner and is an Indiana State Certified Medicolegal Death Investigator.
I can honestly say that this is not just another forensic sciences book! Patrick’s diverse background, his experiences in the field and the classroom have been translated into a work that not only gets the essential information into the hands of the reader, it does so in a way that readers will find refreshing and intuitive. The book and its sections balance practical considerations with scientific and standards based requirements. The coverage of the topics in each section are clear and concise, and the breadth of coverage of the book is inclusive of what one needs to know about the fundamentals of digital imaging, as it relates to forensics.
—Dr. Marcus K. Rogers, Professor/University Faculty Scholar, Fellow of CERIAS, Director - Cyber Forensics Program, Purdue University, from the Foreword" … a ‘‘How To’’ text, simplistic in nature yet thorough in covering highly technical material. … Check it out. You will not regret it."
—Journal of Forensic Sciences
