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Photography and Digital Imaging in Law Enforcement
by Kevin Mello

In today's society, the emphasis on physical evidence in the courtroom is greater than ever. Quite often, a conviction can be made entirely on the basis of the photographs taken at the crime scene. As the demand for physical evidence increases, so does the need for well-documented photographs. With this in mind, Kevin Mello has updated his booklet, Photography and Digital Imaging in Law Enforcement, to help you get the best possible pictures from both SLR and digital cameras.

Mr. Mello begins by explaining the principles of light and the differences between how we see colors and how the camera "sees" colors. He then moves on to topics focusing on film speed, shutter speed, aperture settings, depth of field and flash photography. The basics of using an electronic flash and the descriptions of the six basic types of lighting used in forensic photography are discussed as well.

The author devotes an entire section to digital cameras -- how they work, which type of file format is best for saving pictures, how to achieve a good exposure and how to use a fill flash to accent specific details. And if you are considering the purchase of a digital camera, Mr. Mello describes those features that will be particularly useful to law enforcement. He also explains why protecting the legitimacy of the digital images once they have been taken is not that different from traditional methods.

Regardless of the type of camera you decide to use, certain photos should always be taken at a crime scene. Mr. Mello not only tells you what photos should be taken, but in what order to take them. He also includes an appendix which lists the unique, individual features of different types of crime scenes that should be documented.

Photography and Digital Imaging in Law Enforcement contains the following chapters:

• General Photographic Considerations
• Digital Technology
• Shooting a Crime Scene
• Photographing Injuries
• Night Photography

Kevin Mello has been a law enforcement officer since 1982. In 1985 he became a crime scene deputy with the Pinellas County (Florida) Sheriff's Office and worked with advanced forms of scene and evidence photography. Deputy Mello has taught Forensic Photography for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Florida Division of the International Association of Identification, the Criminalistics Program at St. Petersburg Junior College and IPTM.

Specifications: 30 pages, 8-1/2”x11”, coil bound; illustrated with 8 color and 33 black and white photographs; Publisher: IPTM (January 2002)

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