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Center for Curriculum and Transfer Articulation
Police Photography
Course: AJS241

First Term: 2000 Fall
 Lecture   3 Credit(s)   3 Period(s)   3 Load  
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S


Description: Emphasis on proper procedure for photographing crime scenes, accident scenes, and laboratory specimens. Discussion of photographic techniques, equipment, lighting techniques, aerial photography, video and motion pictures, macro and micro photography, filters, and preparation for court presentation using selected simulations



MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Describe the history of camera use in police work. (I)
2. Describe the working parts of a camera and various camera lenses. (II)
3. Identify the various films used in photography. (III)
4. Describe and demonstrate flash techniques. (IV)
5. Describe and demonstrate techniques used for photographing traffic accidents. (V)
6. Describe and demonstrate techniques of photographing burglary scenes. (VI)
7. Describe and demonstrate the techniques for photographing impressions of tires and shoes. (VII)
8. Describe the techniques for photographing the results of arsons. (VIII)
9. Describe and demonstrate the techniques for photographing dead bodies. (IX)
10. Describe the techniques used in aerial photography. (X)
11. Describe the techniques used in videos and motion pictures. (XI)
12. Describe the photographic techniques used in surveillance. (XII)
13. Describe and demonstrate the photographic techniques used in homicides. (XIII)
14. Describe the types of evidence used in macro and micro photography. (XIV, XV)
15. Describe the use of filters for both color and black/white film. (XVI)
16. Use the proper techniques for photographing a mock crime scene. (XIV, XV, XVII)
17. Describe the proper techniques for developing and printing film. (XVIII)
18. Present photographic evidence in a mock court setting. (XIX)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.
 
MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. General History of the Camera in Police Work
II. The Camera
   A. F stops
   B. Speed settings
   C. ASA (American Standards Association)
   D. Lenses
      1. Wide angle
      2. Normal
      3. Telephoto
III. Film
   A. Black and white
      1. Trix-x
      2. Plus-x
   B. Color
      1. Print film
      2. Slide film
IV. Flash Techniques
   A. Bulbs
      1. Sizes
      2. Uses
      3. Reflectors
   B. Electronic flash
      1. Ratings -- candle power
      2. Slave units
   C. Auxiliary lighting
V. Traffic-Accident Photography
   A. Uses of black and white and color film
   B. Approach photos-identify location
   C. Damage photos
   D. Use of measurements in photos (perspective grid)
VI. Burglary Photography
   A. Point of entry (close-up lens)
   B. Photos of raised latent prints
   C. General photos of residence or commercial property
VII. Tire and Shoe Print/Impression Photos
   A. Oblique lighting techniques
   B. Photographing suspect tire and shoe
   C. Reverse printing of tire or shoe for court
VIII. Arson Photography
   A. Types of lenses
      1. Normal
      2. Wide angle
   B. Problems in photographing arsons
      1. Water
      2. Smoke
      3. Lack of light
   C. Type of photos
      1. Approach during fire
      2. After fire
      3. After cleanup
IX. Death Photography
   A. Photographing body at scene
      1. Hanging
      2. Electrocution
      3. Suicide
      4. Drowning
      5. Strangulation
      6. Asphyxiation
      7. Fire
      8. Fall
      9. Poison
10. Plane crash
      11. Freezing
      12. SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
      13. Other
   B. Photographing body at autopsy
      1. Hanging
      2. Electrocution
      3. Suicide
      4. Drowning
      5. Strangulation
      6. Asphyxiation
      7. Fire
      8. Fall
      9. Poison
10. Plane crash
      11. Freezing
      12. SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
      13. Other
X. Aerial Photography
   A. Regular lens
   B. Time of day to take pictures
   C. Film to be used
   D. Types of planes
      1. Fixed wing
      2. Flight altitude
XI. Video and Motion Pictures
   A. Types of scenes to be used
   B. Cost factors vs. availability
   C. Types of medium
XII. Surveillance Photography
   A. Equipment
   B. Types of photos
   C. How photos are used
XIII. Homicide Scene Photography
   A. Combining all available methods
      1. Lighting techniques
      2. Equipment
   B. Types of photos taken
XIV. Macro Photography
   A. Types of evidence used (hand-held vs. lab)
   B. Types of evidence used in lab
XV. Micro Photography
   A. Types of evidence used (hand-held vs. lab)
   B. Types of evidence used in lab
XVI. Filters
   A. Wratton for color and black and white
   B. Cokin filter system
XVII. Mock Crime Scene
   A. Types of photos taken
   B. Angles of photos--problem areas
XVIII. Film Processing
   A. Development techniques
   B. Printing techniques
XIX. Mock Court
   A. Appearances
   B. Types of photos used
   C. Qualifications
   D. Problem areas
 
MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date:  2/22/2000

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.