Detailed photographs should be taken to show items of physical evidence before they are removed in the condition they were found (Svensson, 1981).
Many people ask, "How many pictures should be shot?- This is a normal question in crime scene photography. There is no single answer to this question. As a general rule it is better to overshoot in a crime scene. Time is, however, important. Certain evidence needs to be collected as quickly as possible. Usually, the experience of the crime scene photographer determines the quantity of photos (Svensson, 1981).
Because of the importance of scale, distances, and perspective in interpreting the photographs taken at crime scenes, it is a good idea to include a ruler or other scale measurement in the photograph, when this is possible. However, because some courts have not allowed even this minor change to the scene, another photograph without the scale should also be taken (Dienstein, 1984).
High quality photographs must show the scene, persons, or objects exactly as they were found. There should be no people working within the scene at the time it is photographed. Also, no other objects, such as police equipment, should be included in the pictures (Svensson, 1981).
Photographs serve a number of purposes. They help refresh the memories of witnesses and investigators. Photographs show the relationships of evidence at the crime scene. A very important purpose of crime scene photographs is that they help convey the crime scene and the circumstances of the crime to the jury.
2. Some Important Factors to Consider.
Location. Photographs of the location of the crime scene should be made. In the case of a residence, for example, the outside of the home or apartment should be taken including the locations of doors and windows. Photographs of surrounding areas of the house should be included such as the front and backyard, views in each direction, etc.
