Photographs - Why, How, and How Many
Coroner Talk Death Investigation Training
Release Date: 07/03/2024
Coroner Talk Death Investigation Training
info_outlineCoroner Talk Death Investigation Training
The number one cause of death for suicides in America is gunshot injury. This type of death can leave a lot of blood. That blood can tell a story if looked at with a critical eye. In this episode, Jeff Gentry discusses blood pattern interpretation and specifically how it is used in suicide cases. After listening, you might look at death scenes differently next time.
info_outlineCoroner Talk Death Investigation Training
https://coronertalk.com/infant-death-first-contactThe first few minutes upon arrival or notification of an infant death are very critical. Steps need to be taken to know where the infant is located and who the lead investigator is and ensure evidence is protected. This episode is a portion of an online training course covering infant death investigation in detail. If you're interested in learning more, a link to that course can be found below. Investigating Infant and Child Deaths
info_outlineCoroner Talk Death Investigation Training
Someone must oversee a crime scene. This means one person is directing all activity. This might not be a ranking member of a department, though. If no one takes charge, the scene is chaotic, and nothing is done correctly. The investigator in charge should oversee the investigation and scene documentation. He or she should ensure proper chain of custody and documentation of evidence. They are in charge of maintaining scene integrity. As with any crime scene, cooperation is critical among differing agencies. But with a death scene, this cooperation is...
info_outlineCoroner Talk Death Investigation Training
Crime scene photography, also called forensic photography, has been around almost as long as the camera itself. Investigators quickly realized that such technology could freeze time -- creating a supposedly incontestable record of a crime scene, a piece of evidence or even a body. Today, forensic photographs are essential for investigating and prosecuting a crime. Photographs help preserve not only the most fleeting evidence -- like the shape of a blood stain that will soon be mopped up -- but also the placement of items in a room and the relation of evidence to other objects....
info_outlineCoroner Talk Death Investigation Training
Death investigations that include an active decomposing body can be challenging to work. There are many obstacles not seen in a 'fresh' death that will be present in a decomp case. In this episode, Jeff Gentry discusses many of these issues and how to successfully work a case involving a decomp.
info_outlineCoroner Talk Death Investigation Training
Midweek training episodes are short-focused training to help you become a better investigator and human. These short tips are a production of the Coroner Talk podcast and the Death Investigation Training Academy. Training tips are given each week by an Academy instructor or industry peer.
info_outlineCoroner Talk Death Investigation Training
Midweek training episodes are short-focused training to help you become a better investigator and human. These short tips are a production of the Coroner Talk podcast and the Death Investigation Training Academy. Training tips are given each week by an Academy instructor or industry peer.
info_outlineCoroner Talk Death Investigation Training
Midweek training episodes are short-focused training to help you become a better investigator and human. These short tips are a production of the Coroner Talk podcast and the Death Investigation Training Academy. Training tips are given each week by an Academy instructor or industry peer.
info_outlineCoroner Talk Death Investigation Training
Midweek training episodes are short-focused training to help you become a better investigator and human. These short tips are a production of the Coroner Talk podcast and the Death Investigation Training Academy. Training tips are given each week by an Academy instructor or industry peer.
info_outlineCrime scene photography, also called forensic photography, has been around almost as long as the camera itself. Investigators quickly realized that such technology could freeze time -- creating a supposedly incontestable record of a crime scene, a piece of evidence or even a body.
Today, forensic photographs are essential for investigating and prosecuting a crime. Photographs help preserve not only the most fleeting evidence -- like the shape of a blood stain that will soon be mopped up -- but also the placement of items in a room and the relation of evidence to other objects. Such images can prove vital to investigators long after the crime scene is gone.
Crime scene photographers must be methodical in their work. They can't afford to leave out an important piece of evidence or produce photographs that could be considered misleading in court.
There are three classifications of forensic photos -- overviews, mid-range and close-ups.
If the crime took place inside, overviews include photos of the outside of the building, its entrances and exits as well as images that place the building in relation to its surroundings. Photos of spectators at the scene can later help locate witnesses or suspects. Overviews also include images of all rooms, taken from overhead and from each corner.
The photographer then hones in on key pieces of evidence and captures images of them in the context. These mid-range photos might picture a piece of evidence, like a knife, but at enough distance to show its relation to furniture, a blood stain, or the rest of the room. Mid-range images establish the distance of the object from surrounding objects.
Finally, the photographer thoroughly documents evidence with close-up images. Close-ups include identifying marks like scars on a body or serial numbers on a bloodied piece of electronic equipment. A photographer often includes a ruler in the shot to establish scale but always takes a duplicate image without the measuring device. In court, the defense could claim the device covered something important.
Of course, pictures are of no value unless they're in context. The photographer keeps a photo log that includes every relevant detail, the photo number, any filters applied, the time and date, the location, and a description of the object.