Crime Scene Photography
By
Professor Bob Warnock
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Students will:
Learn to process a vehicle for evidence
 Learn what types of evidence can be found in a
vehicle
 Learn to properly document the search of a vehicle
through photographs
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The students will:
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Conduct a search of a vehicle
Document the search through photographs
Properly collect and package evidence to include
fingerprints, DNA, and trace evidence
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Do you have authority to search?
 warrant/consent/other
What type of evidence is important to the investigation?
Do you want to place someone in the car?
 The Victim or the Subject
 Talk to the case agent/require their presence
Consider the use of superglue
Other specialties
 Mechanics, car manufacturers, canine units
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 1.
Advanced Preparation
 2. Approach the Scene
 3. Secure and Protect
 4. Start a Preliminary
Survey
 5. Evaluate Physical
Evidence
 6. Prepare a Narrative
Description
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7. Photograph Scene
8. Prepare a Sketch
9. Conduct Detailed
Search
10. Record and Collect
Physical Evidence
11. Conduct Final
Survey
12. Release Crime Scene
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Same basic documentation photographs as
performed in crime scene documentation
Photograph a vehicle in a 360 manner
Show identifying marks (VIN, license plate,
registration stickers, damage to vehicle,
location of seats)
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Photographic all vehicles in a 360
degree manner
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Overalls – exterior and interior
Medium – any evidence in place
Close/up – evidence in place
Close/up – with scale. May move evidence to
get a better view – after taking a photo of it in
place
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Front view
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Driver’s side view
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Rear view
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Passenger side view
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Driver side front interior view
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Driver side rear interior view
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Rear trunk interior view
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Passenger side rear interior view
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Passenger side front interior view
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Vehicle identification number (Vin number)
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Do not use direct flash (Reflections)
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Odometer reading Available light or…
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Off camera flash
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On camera flash
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In place
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In place
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Under seats
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Split Vehicle Into Zones
Driver Side Front
 Passenger Side Front
 Driver Side Rear
 Passenger Side Rear
 Trunk
 Engine Block
 Undercarriage
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Can place suspect at a location or in a vehicle
Can place victim at a location or in a vehicle
Can identify a hit and run vehicle
Can identify a weapon
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Be Aware: If you open all the doors, your
evidence may blow away
Collect visible items first
Wear Tyvek to prevent contamination
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Forensic Vacuum
Lint Roller/Fingerprint Tape
Alternate Light Source (ALS)
Collect Control Samples
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Manual collection
 Use your fingers or disposable tweezers
 Be careful not to crush hair shaft
 Package in druggist fold
 Place in envelope
 Package Hair in Paper
Tape Lifts
 Place on piece of plastic
 Package in Paper
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Vacuuming
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Use sealed canisters to reduce contamination
Use one canister per zone
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