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Guidelines for Field Applications of Imaging Technologies in the Criminal Justice System (Version 2.3, December 6, 2001)

NCJ Number
218757
Date Published
April 2002
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This report provides specific guidelines and recommendations for the use of imaging technologies in the criminal justice system.
Abstract
The article outlines the advantages and disadvantages of major image capture technologies in law enforcement field applications, including silver-based film cameras, instant print cameras, digital cameras, video cameras, and hybrid imaging systems. For example, some advantages to silver-based film cameras are that they have the highest resolution of available image capture options and they are the most flexible of currently available image options. Disadvantages to silver-based cameras include their need for separate processing/printing facilities and their relatively long processing time. Some advantages of instant print cameras include the immediacy of the final image and that all processing is done in-house (operational security). Disadvantages of instant print cameras are that they have a limited resolution of image and carry a high cost per image. Hybrid imaging systems combine silver-based photography with digital imaging technology and are recommended for agencies wanting to incorporate digital imaging technologies into their resources. Some advantages of hybrid systems are that they have a shortened darkroom time for producing prints and they enable the easy electronic transmission of images. Next, guidelines for standard operating procedures (SOPs) are presented for crime scene photography, for first responders, for surveillance technology, tactical surveys, for HAZMAT crime scene photography, for aerial photography, and for accident scene photography. Within each category of photography guidelines, the purpose of photographing the scene is enumerated, the equipment needed is outlined, including calibration and calculation information, and limitations and safety considerations are presented. Figures