Crime Scene Photography [Hardcover]

Edward M. Robinson (Author), David (Ski) Witzke (Collaborator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0123693837 | ISBN-13: 978-0123693839 | Publication Date: March 29, 2007 | Edition: 1

Crime Scene Photography is a book wrought from years of experience, with material carefully selected for ease of use and effectiveness in training, and field tested by the author in his role as a Forensic Services Supervisor for the Baltimore County Police Department.

While there are many books on non-forensic photography, none of them adequately adapt standard image-taking to crime scene photography. The forensic photographer, or more specifically the crime scene photographer, must know how to create an acceptable image that is capable of withstanding challenges in court. This book blends the practical functions of crime scene processing with theories of photography to guide the reader in acquiring the skills, knowledge and ability to render reliable evidence.

* Required reading by the IAI Crime Scene Certification Board for all levels of certification
* Contains over 500 photographs
* Covers the concepts and principles of photography as well as the "how to" of creating a final product
* Includes end-of-chapter exercises and a companion website that gives variations on correct and incorrect approaches to the exercises

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[The book] addresses a technically sensitive practice with great accuracy. The writing is concise and easy to understand... The content is well organized and, fittingly, uses ample photographs as examples of both correct and incorrect ways to employ various photographic techniques. Specific topics discussed range from filters, flash, and focus to evidentiary concerns and court presentations. An excellent table of contents and index make finding specific content a breeze.. The text is written primarily for a law enforcement audience. This solid text would serve nicely, however, for security professionals who may need to document accidents, potential hazards, crimes, or property loss. It is an excellent reference and would serve both a novice and experienced photographer."--Security Management Magazine

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Book Description

Seamlessly combines the theory and practice of the craft

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 672 pages
• Publisher: Academic Press; 1 edition (March 29, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0123693837
• ISBN-13: 978-0123693839
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #756,737 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Retired as a Master Police Officer with the Arlington Co PD in VA after 25 years, 1971-1996.
Worked as a civilian supervisor with the Baltimore Co PD Crime Lab, 1996-1999.
Taught forensic science courses at National Univ, San Diego CA 1999-2000.
Since 2000, I was hired by GWU, Washington DC to create the CSI concentration for our MFS degree.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A few good nuggets buried in too much repetitious information, February 25, 2009

By 

powderslinger "powderslinger" (earth) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crime Scene Photography (Hardcover)

I have read the book, I love photography, and am a crime scene photographer. The book was repetitious, had numerous errors which could be confusing to a new photographer, went into too much depth on using out of date equipment. I work for a medium size department serving half a million people. I talk to photographers from all size agencies. So far my agency is the only one still using film as the primary capture medium. Smaller agencies seem to update faster due to the fact they do not have to buy as much equipment as we do. We still have better equipment than what is discussed in the majority of the book. Yes, he does mention digital, but his flash technology is way outdated. Why focus on the flash compensator when most people are using digital flash readout and compensation. There was valuable information, but it was buried in too much filler used to make this of acceptable textbook length.

As I said, I am an avid photographer, but this book took alot of slogging through. I discussed this with other crime scene photographers who also are avid photographers. We agreed that if we did not already love photography this book would have put us off. If this book was not required by IAI none of us would have read it. Thankfully I did not have to spend my own money on it.

Unfortunately there is a very slim selection of crime scene photography books available.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great all around photography reference!, October 11, 2007

By 

Michael Perkins (Las Vegas, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Crime Scene Photography (Hardcover)

There are many books out there on this increasingly popular field, and this one is the best I've seen! Some texts in the field, even ones updated in the last year or two, have non-existent information on digital concepts and equipment. This text covers it. The chapter contributed by Dave Witzke adds further to the substantial information presented. The chapters on photogrammetry, IR/UV photography, special situations, and legal aspects contribute to a very good foundation for grasping the concepts necessary for success in crime scene imaging. The examples of photographic theory depicted in the photographs and illustrations are very good quality, and illustrate the principles clearly. After nineteen years in the field, this one is my pick!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great crime scene photography book!, February 4, 2008

By 

Elena P. (Queens, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crime Scene Photography (Hardcover)

This book takes the seemingly complicated aspects of crime scene photography and makes them much easier to understand. Along with this, the author gives numerous examples of every concept (both with illustrations in the book and examples at the website given) and also gives exercises that can be done to practice each concept. Understand, though, that this book is a text book (which most are expensive) and it is not one that can be skimmed. If you want to understand crime scene photography, you have to understand general photography concepts before moving to crime scene photography. This book accomplishes this. Included in this book are chapters on digital imaging and the legal issues that come with digital photographs (for those whose police departments can afford digital cameras)