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PHOTOGRAPHY - THE LAW ENFORCEMENT APPLICATION

NCJ Number
56632
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 27 Issue: 4 Dated: (APRIL 1979) Pages: 22-24,26,28,30-31
Author(s)
S SCHWARM
Date Published
1979
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE DESCRIBES APPLYING PHOTOGRAPHY TO CRIME-SCENE INVESTIGATION AND EVIDENCE COLLECTION. PRESENTING PHOTOGRAPHS IN COURT IS DISCUSSED WITH REFERENCE TO CASE LAW AND THE RULES OF EVIDENCE.
Abstract
PROFESSIONAL POLICE PHOTOGRAPHY CREATES AN ACCURATE REPRODUCTION OF A CRIME SCENE BY USING PROPER EQUIPMENT AND UNDERSTANDING THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS OF CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION REDUCES THE POSSIBILITY OF MULTIPLE INTERPRETATIONS BY THE WITNESSES OF A SINGLE EVENT. PHOTOGRAPHS CAN PRESERVE THE APPEARANCE OF PERISHABLE OR TRANSITORY EVIDENCE, AND LEND SUPPORT TO WITNESS TESTIMONY AT TRIAL. COORDINATION OF THE WORK OF PHOTOGRAPHERS, OFFICERS, AND PROSECUTORS IS NECESSARY FOR THE PROPER PRESENTATION OF THE EVIDENCE. THE CRIME SCENE OR ARTICLES PHOTOGRAPHED SHOULD NOT BE RECONSTRUCTED FOR THE PHOTOGRAPHER, BUT SHOULD REMAIN UNALTERED. ACCURATE NOTES SHOULD BE KEPT BY THE PHOTOGRAPHER FOR EACH PICTURE THAT IS TAKEN. THE TIME, LOCATION, AND PARTIES INVOLVED SHOULD BE CAREFULLY DOCUMENTED. IN COURT THE ACCURACY AND CORRECTNESS OF THE PHOTOGRAPH MUST BE PROVEN, USUALLY THROUGH THE TESTIMONY OF THE PHOTOGRAPHER. KANSAS COURTS SPECIFICALLY PERMIT THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE IN EXPLAINING RELEVANT DETAILS OF THE CASE IN QUESTION. FEDERAL RULES OF EVIDENCE UNDERSCORE THE NEED FOR ACCURACY IN THE DOCUMENTATION PROCESS. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (TWK)