Policy Text
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
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9.2 Collection and Preservation of Evidence
9.2.9 Crime Scene Photography (Revised: 5/23/23 )
A. Photography of crime scenes, traffic crashes and other incidents is the responsibility of
the reporting officer or Evidence and Records Technician . All relevant objects and the
surrounding area/scene of the incident shall be photographed using a digital camera or
other photography equipment supplied by the Department. Unless an exigency exists that
necessitates imm ediate collection of photographic evidence and delay would result in loss
of such evidence, personal photographic equipment, including cameras in cell phones,
shall not be used.
1. The officer or Evidence and Records Technician will maintain a record of
photographic data including:
a. Date and time photographs were taken
b. Name and identification number of the photographer
c. Address physical and/or specific location where photographs were taken
d. Incident number of the investigation.
2. The description of the photographic data shall be included in the original incident
report. Digital photographs and video and audio media shall be uploaded into the
RMS. Physical copies, other photographs and videotapes will be submitted to the
Property In take Room.
3. The following situations may require the use of photography if photographs will
have evidentiary value:
a. Homicide (SFPD Crime Laboratory may be called to assist in the
collection of evidence)
b. Rape or kidnapping
c. Injuries to a police o fficer or citizen during arrest
d. Crashes, damage or injury involving city property
e. Fatal or serious injury traffic crash
f. Burglaries
g. Arson or suspected arson
h. Investigation of discharge of firearms by a police officer
i. Aggravated or felonio us assaults
j. Any injury to a Police Department employee sustained on duty
k. Any crime scene upon request of the reporting or investigating officer
l. Domestic violence
m. Child or elder abuse
4. All photographs, digital images, video or audio recording s taken at crime scenes
or during investigations by employees shall be considered evidence. Unless
otherwise permitted by policy or procedure, no photographs, images or recordings
collected as evidence or submitted as part of a case file shall be duplicate d,
shared, stored electronically, reproduced or printed. Procedures for copying,
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
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viewing and distributing case files are described in General Order Section 8.4,
"Records: Administration."
B. Video recordings may be used in conjunction with or as a supplem ent to photographs.
C. When the exact size of an item being photographed is required, a unit of measurement
will be placed next to the item to add dimension and aid in the development of “life -size”
prints. A second photograph of the item will be taken without the unit of measurement,
using the same camera settings, position and lighting, in the event the court desires
photographs of evidence in which nothing has been introduced into the field of view.
D. If the evidence to be photographed is a fi xed object, the dimensions of that object should
be taken to provide a scale of reference.
E. Upon completion of photography and scene processing, digital photos shall be uploaded
into the RMS report writing system. Video media and photographs shall be su bmitted to
the Property Intake Room. A notation that photographs were taken at the scene shall be
made in the incident report narrative.
F. Requests from complainants, legal firms, insurance companies or outside agencies for
copies of photographs taken an d submitted as evidence shall be directed to appropriate
personnel.