Mary Ann M.

Curacha
FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY
FINAL EXAM

1. Why it is important to study forensic photography in relation to law enforcement? 

They are most useful in supplying significant bits and pieces with exact measurement
of the site and evidence where the crime has occurred. The purpose of crime scene
photography is to provide a true and accurate record of the crime scene and physical
evidence present by recording the original scene and related areas.

2. What is photography and what are the principles behind? 

Photography is the art, application and practice of creating durable images by recording
light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image
sensor, or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic
film. The seven principles of art and design in photography; balance, rhythm, pattern,
emphasis, contrast, unity and movement, form the foundation of visual arts. Using the
seven principles allows you to take greater control of your photographic practice. This
will lead to better photos and more photographic opportunities.

3. What are the uses of photography in relation to police work? 

Photography has always played a very important part in policing. In fact, photographs
have many different functions in policing. It acts as a tool to solve crimes, when it can
be used as evidence against a criminal. It also helps to deter crime when it is used as a
public awareness medium. However the recent developments in photography has
revolutionized policing and offers many advantages to the law enforcers to solve
crimes.

4. What are the characteristics of light? Elaborate each characteristic. 

The primary properties of visible light are intensity, propagation direction, frequency or

wavelength spectrum, and polarization, while its speed in a vacuum, 299,792,458 meters
per second, is one of the fundamental constants of nature. Light or visible light is
electromagnetic radiation within the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that can
be perceived by the human eye.Visible light is usually defined as having wavelengths in
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FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY
FINAL EXAM
the range of 400–700 nanometers (nm), or 4.00 × 10−7 to 7.00 × 10−7 m, between the
infrared (with longer wavelengths) and the ultraviolet (with shorter wavelengths).This
wavelength means a frequency range of roughly 430–750 terahertz
(THz).Electromagnetic spectrum and visible light- Generally, EM radiation (the
designation "radiation" excludes static electric, magnetic, and near fields), or EMR, is
classified by wavelength into radio waves, microwaves, infrared, the visible spectrum
that we perceive as light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays. Speed of light- The speed
of light in a vacuum is defined to be exactly 299,792,458 m/s (approx. 186,282 miles per
second). The fixed value of the speed of light in SI units results from the fact that the
meter is now defined in terms of the speed of light. All forms of electromagnetic
radiation move at exactly this same speed in vacuum.

5. What are the sources of light? 

The main source of light on Earth is the Sun. Sunlight provides the energy that green
plants use to create sugars mostly in the form of starches, which release energy into
the living things that digest them. This process of photosynthesis provides virtually all
the energy used by living things. Historically, another important source of light for
humans has been fire, from ancient campfires to modern kerosene lamps. With the
development of electric lights and power systems, electric lighting has effectively
replaced firelight. Some species of animals generate their own light, a process called
bioluminescence. For example, fireflies use light to locate mates, and vampire squids
use it to hide themselves from prey.

6. What are the essential parts of the camera? Define each part. 

Light-Tight Box or Body- part of the camera that is very important because of its
capability to exclude all the unwanted light that might exposed the film.
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FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY
FINAL EXAM
Lens- a glass, plastic, or crystal optical element molded into a curved shape that can
bend and focus rays of light; responsible for focusing the rays of light coming from the
subject.

Film Holder- holds the film firmly inside the camera

Shutter- device used to control the amount of time during which light is allowed to enter
the camera and register on the film or image sensor; serves as the barrier of the rays of
light that will enter and affect the film inside the camera

Viewfinder- an optical or electrical device used to compose and frame a scene; shows
the entire scene coverage that can be recorded in the film inside the camera; also called
a view system, a finder or viewing screen

Film Advancer & Lever- a mechanism for moving film from one spool to another
incrementally one frame at a time

Lens Aperture- an opening (diaphragm) in a light-blocking plate that allows light to

strike the film or image sensors; the ratio between the diameter and focal length of the
lens; the light gathering power of the lens. The diameter of the lens diaphragm can be
changed by turning the aperture ring. This dictates the brightness of the image reaching
the film. Moving to the nearest f-number either halves or doubles aperture size.
Aperture size also affects depth of field.

Focusing Mechanism- the sharpness or clearness of the objects being photographed

will depend upon the focusing system of the camera. The focus is the physical point at
which rays of light from a lens converge to form a properly defined image of the
subject.

7. What are the standard type of lenses? Define each part.

Standard/ Normal Lens Has a focal length that is roughly equivalent to the diagonal of
the light-sensitive, image-recording area within the camera, they usually have wide
maximum apertures, making them useful in low-light situations.
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FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY
FINAL EXAM
Ultra Wide-Angle Lens Linearly corrected ultra wide-angle lenses have a focal length
ranging from around 21mm down to around 15mm. An example is the fisheye lens,
which has a very wide-angle lens that products distorted view of the world.

Wide-Angle Zoom A wide angle zoom is likely to be slower and heavier and show more
image distortion than a wide-angle fixed focal length lens. However, it has the
advantage of being able to select intermediate focal length settings.

Shift Lens Also sometimes called a perspective control lens. It can be shifted off-center
in relation to the film frame, so that the correct perspective can be achieved when
photographing converging vertical lines such as tall buildings.

Macro Lens Macro lenses are designed to render a subject with 1:1 or higher
magnification for very close focusing distances, they are useful in taking close-ups of
small subjects or isolating details of larger subjects because they allow the camera to
focus extremely close to a subject to record a detailed image. 

Telephoto Lens Has a focal length than the diagonal of the film frame or image sensor.
Telephoto lenses make subject appear larger on than a normal lens at the same camera-
to-subject distance. They also have a shallower depth of field than wide-angle lenses.

Telephoto Zoom A telephoto zoom ranging from 75-300mm encompasses about six
fixed focal length lenses. This type of zoom is popular with sports and wildlife
photographers. It is also useful for portraits and can be used to photograph
architectural and landscape details.

8. What is the difference between black and white film and color film? Explain

Black and White film has a single layer in the emulsion, whereas color film has at least
three layers in the emulsion, separated by color filters, for the three primary
subtractive colors (cyan, magenta and yellow).

9. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Digital photography in relation to police work? 

A digital camera is usually lighter in weight than a film camera.Memory cards are tiny
so they don't require much storage space. One memory card can store more images than a
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FINAL EXAM
dozen rolls of film.The images from a digital camera can be viewed immediately.You can
edit your images directly on the camera or on a computer with photo-editing software.You
can choose to print only the images you like best.Many cameras offer built-in filters.There
is instant gratification with a digital camera. This can be an advantage or a disadvantage,
depending on your perspective. While the disadvanteges of are: Digital photography
usually requires computer skills to manage and edit images.The initial cost for a digital
camera is usually higher than for a comparable film camera.Digital images easily lose
detail in whites and blacks.Some digital cameras are difficult to focus.Digital images are
less subtle than film images.Digital cameras become obsolete much faster than film
cameras.The digital storage can be lost; backups are absolutely necessary.Many digital
cameras do a poorer job focusing in low light than film cameras.Digital

cameras are bigger consumers of batteries than film cameras. Digital photographers need
to keep extra batteries on hand to ensure the camera stays charged.

10. What are the advantages and disadvantages of film photography in relation to police work? 

There can be a lower initial cost for a film camera than for a comparable digital camera.
Film delivers a higher dynamic range, which makes it better at capturing detail in whites and
blacks.Film photography is more forgiving of minor focusing issues and exposure problems.
A film camera often has a higher resolution than what is found in most digital cameras.Film
photographers with a limited number of exposures available on a roll of the film must think
more about their images before shooting them. Digital photographers tend to take pictures
first and think later. Depending on your viewpoint, this is either an advantage or a
disadvantage.The disadvantages of Film photography are Film cameras are usually heavier
than similar-sized digital cameras.Film storage takes up a lot of physical space.Purchasing
and developing film is a continuing cost.The film must be developed before viewing, so you
can end up developing poor photo captures or images taken unintentionally.Unless you have
a darkroom, the photographer is dependent on a lab to develop the images.
Mary Ann M. Curacha
FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY
FINAL EXAM