Policy Text
Identification Bur eau Page 1 of 2 4 /04.1 (REV 1/07)
Crime Scene Photogra phy and Videography
The purpose of this Order is to specify when and how a crime sc ene should be
photographed and/or v ideographed.
I. General
Photographs and/or video of a cri me scene or items of evidence will be taken if
they will be of evidential value during later investigation and prosecution.
Photographs and video must dep ict a scene or items of evidence exactly as
found without including outside items such a s police equipment or uninvolved
persons if possible. Photograp hs and/or video will be taken of :
A. Victim’s injuries
B. Suspect’s injuries C. Evidence showing its condition and surroundings
D. Persons or objects for later identification E. Crime scenes in general for major cases F. Latent fingerprints when the po ssibility exists that lifting will destroy the
quality
II. Types of Photographs
A. Photographs may be used to ident ify or show the size of item s of
evidence. These photographs will be made by:
1. Showing or clarifying mu ltiple or different items
a. place number stands next to each item of evidence
b. photograph each item showin g the number along with the
item
c. document the item and num ber in subsequent reports
2. Showing perspective, c olor or size of items
Identification Bur eau Page 2 of 2 4 /04.1 (REV 1/07) a. place an appropriate scale next to the item
b. photograph each item showing the scale a long with the item
c. Items using scales should include tire and/or shoe
impressions, tool and/or pry m arks, fluid spots or stains,
weapons, injuries to pers ons and latent fingerprints
3. Showing the identity of a specific item or person
a. Photograph full view of all sides of items or persons b. Photograph close-up of identif ying marks such as license
plates, serial numbers, br and names, etc. of property and
face and tattoos of persons
c. If not visible on an item, i dentifying data should be writte n
out and included in the photograph if possible. Specific
information should be plac ed next to persons being
photographed for identif ication purposes
III. Booking Procedures
All digital media will be proce ssed per the Media Based Evidenc e General Order 16/16.
A. Film and/or CD’s wit h photo images will be placed into an ev idence
envelope (Form 7400-146) and the envelope will be filled out co mpletely.
A Property Report/Receipt (Form 7400-076A) and/or AFR Packing L ist will
be completed and attached to the envelope, and submitted to the Property
Warehouse
B. Video and/or CD’s will be pl aced into an evidence envelope ( Form 7400-
146) and the envelope will be filled out completely. A Propert y
Report/Receipt (Form 7400-076A) and/ or AFR Packing List will be
completed and attached to the en velope, and then submitted to t he
Property Warehouse.
Appendices:
Property Report/Receipt – Form 7400-076A
Evidence Envelope – Form 7400-146