Instructor: Keith Mancini, BS, CFPH, CFVE

An important part of processing a crime scene includes the identification and collection of latent friction ridge evidence.  Sometimes it is possible to collect these items of evidence, but other times this might be impractical.  For these times, the best solution is to photograph these impressions.  In other cases, the processes by which friction ridge evidence is processed, can tend to be temporary.  Iodine fuming is an example of such a process.  After processing the impressions, they must me photographed in order to make them permanent.  Still in other cases, it might be possible that the collected evidence is fragile and requires photography to maintain a record to prevent the loss of this evidence.

This course will begin with a review of basic photography and will move into more advanced techniques that can be employed to illuminate and photograph friction ridge evidence.

Specialized lighting techniques will include, Axial Lighting, Bounce Lighting, Diffused Lighting, Direct Lighting, Direct Reflected Lighting, Oblique Lighting, and Transillumination.  Photography techniques including camera and subject stabilization to help ensure examination quality photographs will result.  The proper use of scales will be included.