Crime Scene Photography Training for Law Enforcement
40-hour IAI-approved training for law enforcement personnel responsible for documenting crime scenes.
21 practical exercises • 40 IAI credits
Eligible for TCOLE continuing education credit hours. Supporting course documentation provided for agency submission and training records.
Need approval support before registering? Review why agencies choose Pinnacle Forensics training for practical instruction, defensible documentation, and agency support.
What this crime scene photography training course covers
This 40-hour Crime Scene Photography training course is approved by the International Association for Identification (IAI) and is designed for law enforcement personnel responsible for documenting crime scenes.
Attendees learn the sequence and purpose of crime scene photographs while building a digital photographic notebook throughout the course.
Topics include nighttime and low-light photography, infrared and ultraviolet photography, bloodstain pattern analysis documentation, bullet trajectory photography using rods and lasers, and officer-involved shooting documentation.
Attendees also complete 21 practical exercises and associated subtests while learning to control camera settings in challenging conditions.
Instructor background
The instructor, John Calvin Gaziano, has 32 years of law enforcement experience, including 24 years in crime scene investigation.
He is a retired sergeant from the Fremont Police Department, where he supervised and taught members of the crime scene unit.
He holds two Master’s degrees, including one in Forensic Science.
While with the Fremont Police Department, he was an IAI-certified bloodstain pattern analyst and a senior crime scene analyst.
He has been qualified in court as an expert in bloodstain pattern analysis and has testified in crime scene investigation matters.
Credits and reporting
Forty (40) credits toward the International Association for Identification’s (IAI) Initial Forensic Photography & Imaging (FP&I) Certification
Forty (40) credits toward the International Association for Identification’s (IAI) Crime Scene Certification and Recertification
Eligible for TCOLE continuing education credit hours. Pinnacle Forensics provides supporting course documentation for agency submission and training records.
Pinnacle Forensics provides this Crime Scene Photography training course for agencies and organizations seeking on-site instruction. If your agency is interested in hosting the course, please click the button below to learn more.
Free crime scene photography field guide
Need a quick field reference before class or during field documentation? Download the free Crime Scene Photography Field Review Guide for planning the photographic sequence, documenting the scene as encountered, and completing a final review before scene release.
Topics included in the crime scene photography course
- Photography Basics
- Camera Structure
- Reciprocity
- Photographing a Crime Scene
- Exposure Variables - Shutter Speed, Aperture, Light, ISO
- Electronic Flash
- Focus, Lenses, and Filters
- Depth of Field
- Infrared, Ultraviolet, and Fluorescence Photography
- Chemiluminescence Photography - Lumiscene and Luminol
- Injury Photography
- Photographing the Deceased
- Painting with Light and Low Light Photography
- Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Documentation
- Bullet Trajectory Photography - Rods and Lasers
- Officer Involved Shooting Photography
- Vehicle Documentation
- Evidence - e.g., Dust Impressions, Tire Marks
- Twenty-one (21) Practical Exercises and Associated Subsets
Reveal detail hidden by reflections
Reflections on glass and other shiny surfaces can hide important evidence. In crime scene photography training, students learn practical techniques to reduce reflections and document details more clearly in the camera.
Click photo to enlarge
Course information
- Course duration: 40 hours
- Prerequisites: None
- Tuition: $650
- Instructor: John Calvin Gaziano, Retired Police Sergeant, MFS, MS
Equipment to bring
Attendees should bring the following items to class:
- Camera (DSLR or mirrorless)
- Dedicated flash (preferably TTL)
- Flash cord
- Shutter release cable
- Tripod
- Close-up lens
- Flashlight with clean white light
- Laptop (optional)
- Card reader (optional)
Control what stays in focus
Students learn how depth of field affects what appears sharp in a photograph and how to control focus based on the evidence being documented.
Click photo to enlarge
Host a Crime Scene Training Course
Pinnacle Forensics delivers on-site crime scene investigator training for law enforcement agencies—taught at your location for your personnel.
Hosting lets you train multiple personnel at once while reducing travel costs and minimizing time away from duty.
Benefits of Hosting a Course
- Train multiple personnel at the same time
Instruction delivered at your agency or a preferred location
Reduced travel and lodging expenses
Applicable to patrol officers, investigators, and supervisors
Hosting agency tuition may be waived when minimum enrollment requirements are met
Get hosting details including scheduling options, course formats, and minimum enrollment requirements.
Related crime scene photography training resources
These related articles and course recaps provide additional context for agencies and investigators evaluating crime scene photography training.
What a Crime Scene Photography Course Should Cover
Crime Scene Photography Training Recap: Jersey Village Police Department
Crime Scene Photography Training Recap: Kerrville Police Department
Crime Scene Photography Training Recap: New Braunfels, Texas
Crime Scene Photography Training Recap: Aransas County Sheriff’s Office
Crime Scene Photography Training Recap: Odessa Police Department
Because photography is only one part of scene documentation, agencies may also find Crime Scene Documentation Mistakes and How to Avoid Them useful when evaluating broader documentation training.
Crime scene photography training locations
Looking for this course in Texas or a specific city? Explore the training location pages below.