MGC wrote:Azsnowman, digital is allowed in crime scene photography? With digital so easy to alter I'm surprised it could be used as evidence. A film negative is harder to tamper with. These days with photoshop it is hard to tell the difference between what is authentic or a fraud.....MGC
I have to follow VERY strict SOP'S (standard operating procedures) set forth by the District Country Attorneys office, my credibility is put on the stand when I present digital images to the jury....yeah, it's a pain in the butt to have to defend my credibility and believe ME, there are some slime ball defense attorneys out there that will do everything in their power to make me look like a fool!
http://www.policecentral.com/wp-crimescene.htm
VII. Suggested System Capabilities and Procedures
This Police Central White Paper assumes that the user has selected a PC computer, digital camera and printer. How can these components work together to insure admissibility of the photographs.
First, it is important to note that the camera itself cannot alter an image that has been captured and stored on the PCMCIA card. Thus, the image stored on the PC card, by definition is in an original state.
Some cameras today can print images directly to their companion printer ( i.e. the Fuji DS300 Digital Camera can print directly to the Fuji PG3000 color printer). If your camera/printer has this capability, we recommend that upon return to the Crime Scene Lab, the photos are immediately printed and labeled as "Original Camera Prints", along with the date, time and technician's initials. Later testimony can indicate that these photographs were directly printed, prior to any viewing on a computer system.
Should your equipment not have this capability for direct printing, it is important to maintain the original file in an indelible format. Recordable CDs are just the answer.
We are all familiar with CD-ROMs. A file recorded on CD cannot be "re-recorded"; in other words, when a file is stored on CD it is indelible. Further, the PC will automatically record a date and time in the file format. Now it is true that the file could be read into a PC and enhanced (altered?), and the enhanced (altered?) photograph recorded back onto the same (or different) CD. If recorded on the same CD, however, it must carry a new filename--as the original file name is indelible. And, in any case, the file would carry a new date and time stamp. The following are suggested guidelines for secure processing of digital photographs:
1. Choose a digital camera that can output directly to a photo quality printer. Print and label original photos upon return to the crime scene lab. Have a form that testifies to this transaction.
2. Use a PC to record the digital files directly to a CD prior to viewing any image on the PC screen. Have a form that testifies to this transaction.
3. These forms should carry the following information as a minimum:
a. Case Report Number, date and time of recording
b. Number of Photographs
c. ID Number of the CD-ROM
e. Name and signature of photo technician
f. The following Legend:
"This certifies that the digital photographs contained on CD Number ___ were recorded directly from the digital camera card prior to viewing on an computer system. The undersigned technician certifies that such digital photographs are thus identical to the digital photographs taken at the crime scene".
4. The digital files on the CD can then be safely viewed, enhanced, annotated and entered into a crime scene database. If the digital file is record from the PC card, directly onto an indelible CR-ROM, the original photographic file is always available. While it is true that the photograph can be read into the PC and manipulated, it cannot be recorded back on to the CD with the same file name. It must carry a new file name and corresponding date and time stamp from the computer.
If later challenged in court, the technicians testimony and accompanying paperwork, in conjunction with the computer generated date and time stamps should present a strong audit trail to the court.
Police Central recommends that the above basic procedures be followed with digital photographic files. These standard Operating Procedures, published by the jurisdiction should be rigorously followed.
The MOST important aspect of this issue is, however, the credibility of the technician. Without a doubt, the strongest factor in admissibility is direct testimony reflecting the "true and accurate" nature of the photographs in question.
!! I took 4 years of photography in high school...that was my goal was to be a "pro-fesh-in-al" photog and NOW look where I'm at...a "Super CSI!" NOT