Free crime scene photography field review guide
Crime Scene Photography Field Review Guide
Plan the photographic sequence, document the scene as encountered, and complete a final review before scene release.
This guide is designed for law enforcement personnel who document crime scenes, evidence, vehicles, injuries, and related investigative details. It provides a practical review framework for stronger scene coverage, clearer sequencing, and more accurate photographic documentation.
What the guide helps you review
01
Plan the photographic sequence
Review the scene approach, photo identifier, camera equipment, settings, lighting, storage media, and documentation sequence before the first exposure.
02
Document the scene as encountered
Use a logical progression from overall photographs to midrange photographs and close-up detail so later reviewers can understand the scene.
03
Review before scene release
Check focus, exposure, coverage, identifiers, scales, changed conditions, and media security while corrections are still possible.
What’s inside the Crime Scene Photography Field Review Guide
Field documentation sequence
- Before-you-begin preparation
- Core camera equipment
- Overall photographs
- Midrange photographs
- Close-up and scale photographs
Technical and final review topics
- Exposure, focus, and lighting control
- Vehicles, injuries, and special situations
- Final review before leaving the scene
- Common avoidable photography misses
Who this guide is for
- Patrol officers assigned to photograph scenes
- Crime scene investigators and technicians
- Detectives and investigators documenting evidence
- Supervisors reviewing scene documentation
- Agency training coordinators evaluating crime scene photography training
Related crime scene photography training
The 40-hour Crime Scene Photography course expands on this guide with hands-on instruction in camera control, scene sequencing, exposure, lighting, evidence and injury photography, vehicles, low-light scenes, and specialized techniques. Each attendee receives the 285-page course manual, Crime Scene Photography: A Practical Approach to Forensic Documentation.
Interested in hosting this course? Learn about hosting a Pinnacle Forensics course.