Practical Forensic Digital Imaging: Applications and Techniques(Practical Aspects of Criminal and Forensic Investigations)

Well-documented scenes can prove to be invaluable pieces of evidence at trial, and the ability to take compelling photographs is a critical skill for forensic scientists and investigators. Practical Forensic Digital Imaging: Applications and Techniques is an up-to-date and thorough treatment of digital imaging in the forensic sciences. Balancing practical considerations with scientific and standards-based requirements, the book’s clear, concise presentation illustrates the essentials of digital imaging required by professionals in the field. Enhanced with crisp color photos, the book covers a host of critical topics, including: The fundamentals of photographing crime scenes The history of photography and the transition to digital imaging Digital camera hardware and photographic techniques Light, filters, and macro/micro imaging Lay, professional, and expert witnesses, and the implications of Frye and Daubert Enhancement of images and digital panoramic camera scanning Storage of digital media Ultraviolet and infrared imaging Digital photo imaging microscopes Covering the full range of scenarios that forensic professionals encounter, the author includes special sections dedicated to photography involving footwear and tire impressions, vehicles, death and morgue scenes, and taphonomic and entomological imaging, as well as fingerprints, burglaries, fire and arson, sex offenses, blood, and trace evidence and microscopy. The techniques in this volume enable photographers to capture the images that will not only tell the story, but will also stand up in court. Watch Patrick Jones in his laboratory on the CRC Press YouTube channel.

Table of Contents:
Documentation Digital Imaging Forensic Digital Imaging The Transition from 35-mm Film to Digital Imaging Introduction 4 × 5 Sheet Film Cameras The 120 Roll Film Cameras The 35-mm SLR Other Camera Types The Snapshot Camera The Polaroid Camera The Disposable or Single-Use Camera Film Proper Evidentiary Handling and Storage of Film Digital Camera Hardware The Digital Point-and-Shoot Camera The Digital Camera Body The Menu Image Numbering The Lenses Aperture Focusing the SLR Camera Aperture Preview Shutter Exposure Remote Shutter Release Resolution ASA, DIN, and ISO Hyperfocal Distance Digital Imaging Introduction Money Protection Cases Camera Strap The Ultraviolet Filter The Camera Flash or Strobe Automatic versus Manual Settings Shutter Slave The "Normal" Lens The Telephoto Lens The Wide-Angle Lens The Macro Lens Lighting with the Macro Lens Using the Flash on Your Camera The On-and-Off Switch Turn the Camera Upside Down List Photo Images The 90-Degree Rule Perspective Images The Scale Exculpatory Evidence Extreme Conditions 18% Gray Card Light Introduction Ambient Light Color Temperature Color Rendering Index Flash/Strobe Direct Flash Indirect Flash Fill Light Subtractive Light Additive Light Ambient or Available Light Painting with Light Ring Light Diffusing Your On-Camera Flash with Tissue Other Lighting Equipment Snoot Barn Doors Umbrella Filters Introduction Polarizing Filter Band-Pass and Band-Block Filters Filter Factors Color-Compensating Filters Kodak Light-Balancing Filters Conversion Filters for Color Films Stacking Filters Neutral-Density Filters Infrared and Ultraviolet Filters Macro/Micro Imaging Introduction Photo Image Evidence at Degrees to the Object Bench Imaging Backgrounds Handguns The Scale Studio in a Box The Light Box Rope Caulk Helping Hands The Tripod Law The Lay Witness The Professional Witness The Expert Witness The Nature of Law Miranda Warnings Types of Witnesses The Lay Witness The Professional Witness The Expert Witness Qualifying an Expert Witness General Practice Certification Membership in Forensic Organizations Studies and Continuing Education Teaching of Forensic Science Lectures Publications Research Court Experience Reports Changes Daubert Frye Enhancement of Images Introduction Scientific Working Group on Imaging Technology History The Mission Statement of SWGIT Admissibility of Digital Images "Doctored" Images Cover Letter, Richard W. Vorder Bruegge Former SWGIT Chair Photo Image Enhancement Log Photoshop ACDSee Pro Enhancing a Latent Fingerprint Latent Lift Bare Footprint Developed with Ninhydrin Footwear and Tire Impressions Introduction Casting Equipment Footwear Tire Impressions Digital Panoramic Camera Scanning Scene Scanning The System Photogrammetry The Scene Panorama Imaging: Ultraviolet/Infrared Surveillance Preventive Measures Death Investigation Introduction The Coroner or Medical Examiner Official Photos of the Scene The Scene Overall or Establishing Photos Perspective Photos Unexpected Objects and Evidence Types of Images Taken during a Death Investigation Cases Morgue Photo Imaging Introduction At the Scene Universal Precautions At the Morgue Sequencing Lighting The Body ID Photo Image Scales Hands Wounds Lividity Scars, Marks, and Tattoos Fingerprints Clothing Taphonomic and Entomological Imaging Introduction The Scene The Body Insects Maggot Mass and Maggot Migration Containers Vehicles Water Recovery Bones The Autopsy Auto Process Introduction Exterior Interior Compartments and Hidey-Holes Trunk and Engine Fingerprints Latent Prints General Rules Fingerprints on Glass Fingerprints on Curved Glass Feathers Prints on Pills and Capsules Prints on Stainless Steel Prints on Toilet Seats Burglary Introduction Exterior Interior Alarm Locks Items of Interest Storage of Digital Media The Media Storage Fire and Arson Scene Introduction The Scene Lighting Flash Marking Areas Point of Origin Artifacts Crowd Digital Imaging Sex Offenses Introduction Dispatch The Scene Victim at the Morgue Victim at the Hospital Meeting the Victim Photo Imaging the Victim Injuries Bruising Clothing Children Trace Evidence and Microscopy Introduction Images through a Microscope Microscope Camera The Nikon Microphot Modification Blood Introduction Luminol Blowback: Blood in Gun Barrel Ultraviolet and Infrared Imaging Introduction UV Light Sources Body Fluids Insects Tattoos Infrared Light Fuji IS Pro UVIR Camera Filters for Use with the Fuji IS Pro Camera Other Considerations Digital Photo Imaging Microscope VHX-1000 and Forensic Inspection Handheld Integration Lenses Multiangle Stand High-Resolution Imaging High Dynamic Range Documentation and Measurement Tools 3D Composition and Measurement SWGIT Introduction Disclaimer Bibliography Appendix A: Glossary Appendix B: Photo I.D. Card Index

About the Author :
Patrick Jones is the Forensic Science Laboratory director at Purdue University. In addition to managing two laboratories, he teaches Crime Scene Investigation, Introduction to Forensic Science, Criminalistics Lab, and Advanced Criminalistics Lab. Mr. Jones has more than 34 years of experience in law enforcement, forensics investigation, security, and training. As a Crime Scene Investigator (CSI), he has worked on the John Wayne Gacy case, the Larry Eyler case (both serial killers) and the Ed Ling case among many others. He lectures and presents these cases for students and interested groups. Patrick Jones is also currently a White County Indiana Deputy Coroner and is an Indiana State Certified Medicolegal Death Investigator.

Review :
I can honestly say that this is not just another forensic sciences book! Patrick's diverse background, his experiences in the field and the classroom have been translated into a work that not only gets the essential information into the hands of the reader, it does so in a way that readers will find refreshing and intuitive. The book and its sections balance practical considerations with scientific and standards based requirements. The coverage of the topics in each section are clear and concise, and the breadth of coverage of the book is inclusive of what one needs to know about the fundamentals of digital imaging, as it relates to forensics. -Dr. Marcus K. Rogers, Professor/University Faculty Scholar, Fellow of CERIAS, Director - Cyber Forensics Program, Purdue University, from the Foreword " ... a "How To" text, simplistic in nature yet thorough in covering highly technical material. ... Check it out. You will not regret it." -Journal of Forensic Sciences I can honestly say that this is not just another forensic sciences book! Patrick’s diverse background, his experiences in the field and the classroom have been translated into a work that not only gets the essential information into the hands of the reader, it does so in a way that readers will find refreshing and intuitive. The book and its sections balance practical considerations with scientific and standards based requirements. The coverage of the topics in each section are clear and concise, and the breadth of coverage of the book is inclusive of what one needs to know about the fundamentals of digital imaging, as it relates to forensics. —Dr. Marcus K. Rogers, Professor/University Faculty Scholar, Fellow of CERIAS, Director - Cyber Forensics Program, Purdue University, from the Foreword " … a ``How To’’ text, simplistic in nature yet thorough in covering highly technical material. … Check it out. You will not regret it." —Journal of Forensic Sciences