Forensic Photography
Definition
Photography conducted to evidentiary standards, producing images that can be authenticated as accurate representations of a finding at a specific time, with scale indicators, orientation, and documented chain of custody for the image files.
- Standard
- Evidentiary, court-defensible image production
- Includes
- Scale indicators, orientation, documented chain of custody
- Purpose
- Authenticate images as accurate at a specific time
- Clinical application
- Colposcopy in medical examination settings
Common questions
Why is a scale indicator required in forensic photographs?+
Without a scale reference in the frame, the true size of an injury, mark or object cannot be reliably determined from the image alone, which matters when the photograph is later used to measure a wound or compare a tool mark.
How does chain of custody apply to a digital photograph rather than a physical exhibit?+
The image file itself becomes the exhibit, so its creation date, device, storage location and every instance of access or copying must be logged, similar to how a physical item's custody is tracked, to defend the image against claims of tampering.
Related terms
- Colposcope
- A binocular optical device with bright coaxial illumination and variable magnification (typically 4x-40x), originally designed for cervical examination but widely adopted in...
- EXIF Metadata
- Exchangeable Image File Format data embedded in a digital image by the camera. Includes date, time, camera model, exposure settings, and GPS...
- Photographic Log
- A written record, kept on site alongside the context records, that logs each photograph with its file name, date, time, photographer, subject...
- Scale Bar
- A physical ruler or L-shaped measuring device placed in the field of view before a photograph is taken. It provides a known...
- Toluidine Blue
- A nuclear dye applied to anogenital skin that is taken up by nucleated cells exposed by micro-lacerations. It stains micro-tears dark blue,...