Description
Document crime scenes, evidence, injuries, and autopsies through accurate, objective photography for investigation and court. Use controlled lighting, scales, and measurement techniques to preserve color, size, and spatial relationships. Apply secure digital workflows and approved editing to produce faithful, admissible images and exhibits. Work with law enforcement and medical/legal teams while maintaining chain of custody and readiness to testify.
- • Photograph crime scenes, evidence, and injuries using overall, midrange, and close-up sequences.
- • Determine image goals with investigators and plan coverage, locations, and equipment needs.
- • Adjust aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and focus to suit lighting, motion, and depth of field.
- • Use tripods, macro lenses, remote releases, and ring or off-camera flash for stability and detail.
- • Create and control light with flash, reflectors, continuous, oblique, and low-angle techniques.
- • Employ photo scales, color charts, and evidence markers to preserve size, color, and context.
- • Estimate or measure light levels and distances; bracket exposures when necessary.
- • Capture trajectories, impressions, and bloodstain patterns to show spatial relationships.
- • Use alternate light sources, UV/IR, and filters to reveal latent details and injuries.
- • Test cameras, flashes, ALS, and accessories before use to ensure proper operation.
- • Review image sets on-site for focus, exposure, coverage, and completeness; reshoot as needed.
- • Transfer images to secure evidence systems; verify hashes and maintain chain-of-custody records.
- • Apply approved, non-destructive image processing; document all adjustments and maintain originals.
- • Calibrate monitors and color-manage workflows; set accurate white balance with gray cards.
- • Produce labeled photo logs, captions, and contact sheets for case files.
- • Prepare prints, exhibits, and digital presentations for investigators, prosecutors, and court.
- • Testify in court to photographic methods, authenticity, and results.
- • Set up, mount, and maintain photographic equipment at scenes, labs, and autopsies.
- • Photograph autopsies and clinical evidence in coordination with medical examiners.
- • Follow PPE, biohazard, and contamination-control protocols to ensure scene integrity and safety.
- • Maintain and clean equipment; charge batteries and manage media.
- • Train or direct personnel assisting with photographic tasks and scene documentation.
- • Archive images and metadata per retention policies; back up and audit regularly.
- • Research and evaluate new photographic techniques, materials, and software for forensic use.
- • Develop visual aids and charts to present evidence clearly in reports and court.
- • Coordinate with labs to photograph developed prints or trace evidence under magnification.
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
