What is a Forensic Photographer?

A forensic photographer is someone who photographs legal evidence at crime scenes, hospitals, and forensic laboratories. He usually works as a freelance photographer or for a company that specializes in forensic photography. Some people in this field work for magazines or newspapers, while others work for hospitals, law firms, or private investigators. These professionals are also employed police departments and government agencies.

Photographers who specialize in forensic images are usually required to have a thorough understanding of the laws and requirements of the courts in order for their work to be admissible as evidence. A basic understanding of human anatomy is beneficial when photographing an injury or important piece of evidence on a person’s body. A forensic photographer consults with physicians and medical illustrators on a regular basis to ensure that his photographs are technically correct.

A forensic photographer will typically use a variety of cameras and lenses. The type of camera he uses is determined the subject of the photographs as well as the environment in which they are taken. Close-ups of evidence discovered in a forensic laboratory, shots of an operating room procedure, and minute details on a victim’s body are some of the subjects. Panoramic views of a scene are another type. Zoom or wide-angle lenses are frequently required in these environments.

Inadequate lighting or locations with unusual angles and views are common in crime scenes. These usually necessitate specialized photography equipment with apertures that adjust the light in the shot automatically. Computer-aided devices that produce three-dimensional images of a scene or subject are frequently used forensic photographers.

Occasionally, X-ray, infrared, and ultraviolet techniques are used to photograph substances and details that are invisible to ordinary cameras. To produce intricately detailed images, strobes, optical microscopes, and microscope adapters are frequently attached to cameras. A variety of scientific instruments and tools record pictures and images in an electronic format that can be useful in forensic investigations.

In courtroom proceedings, a forensic photographer’s work frequently requires him to present his findings to judges and juries. He is called to testify about his interpretations of the photographs on a regular basis. In most cases, this necessitates the use of visual charts to contrast and compare scenes and evidence.

Although a degree in photography may help a candidate find work in a competitive job market, there are no formal educational requirements for this position. A forensic photographer is typically a professional photographer who is skilled in the use of a wide range of cameras and photographic equipment. He has a broad understanding of science, criminology, and forensics. When dealing with victims at crime scenes and enlisting the help of other professionals, good communication skills are essential.