Customer Reviews

Crime Scene Photography

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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was repetitious, had numerous errors which could be confusing to a new photographer, went into too much depth on using out of date equipment.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 Yes, he does mention digital, but his flash technology is way outdated.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.

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!

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)

This book is the best out there on this topic. As a forensic science grad student, I wrote many a paper on photography. I struggled to find sources that were up-to-date and specific to forensic photography. I really wish that this book had been out there when I was writing those papers!
Grad school over & MFS degree obtained, I am now a crime scene analyst. I use the principles in this book at every crime scene to which I respond--from property calls to crimes against persons. Crime scene work is probably 70% photography. Good photographs are vital! This book explains the principles used in crime scene work, and gives tons of examples. Sometimes the reading can be dry (hello, it's a textbook)and a topic can be difficult to grasp on your first read, but re-read it and dig in! The information that you will come away with is golden.

This book does have some valuable information in it, but it is a very poorly written book. The information given could have been reduced to about 1/3 what is there. Too many repeats of the same stuff. I would not recommend this for people who are already responsible for taking crime scene photographs. This book does not flow while reading it. It's as if the author is trying to prove he is "smart".

This book is an excellent reference for crime scene photography. It should be part of our professional library.

Book is great for a refresher in crime scene photography. The book is very descriptive and detailed. Easy to understand and read

I think that it is ridiculous to pay almost full hard-copy price for the Kindle version of the book. What am I paying for? The content leaves much to be desired. The only reason I am purchasing this book is because it is required reading for the IAI testing. I read edition 1 and I had to force myself to get through the book because it is so uninteresting.

I am completely satisfied with my book. It was in an excellent condition as it was noted by the sender. Thanks.

This is an excellent text that covers the history as well as the craft. It is well thought out and the on-line resources add an extra dimension!