home
Psychology of fear
System of forensic photography methods. Forensic photography

System of forensic photography methods. Forensic photography

11.10.2019

The relevance of the topic of the course work. court photograph in criminology, it is a system of methods and technical means of photography used to capture physical evidence in the course of investigative actions and operational-search actions, to study this evidence in the process of forensic examination.

The development of forensic science as a science took place in parallel with the formation of forensic photography as an independent branch of forensic technology. “Photography,” wrote in 1947 the famous Russian forensic scientist A.A. Eisman, was one of the first methods widely and organically accepted by forensic science and creatively adapted to the peculiar conditions of the study of material evidence. The first serious successes in the development of general photography, which marked the transition from a period of experiments, successes and failures to a period in which the basic principles and techniques of photography were finally formed, coincided in time with the first attempts to use it in forensic science.

Assessing the scientific research of the last three decades in the field of forensic photography, it can be noted that the efforts of scientists and practitioners were directed mainly to the development of individual methods of research photography, to finding ways to improve forensic tools and methods based on the traditional negative-positive photo process.

Currently, photography accompanies the investigation process throughout its entire length: from the moment signs of a crime are discovered to the moment the case is brought to court. The circle of people who use photographic means and methods in their work is just as wide: investigator, operative worker, specialist, forensic expert. Therefore, it is quite natural to be interested in any changes in the technique of photography, which make it possible to significantly speed up and simplify the acquisition of photographs while maintaining their status as derivative material evidence.

Compared to other fixation methods (protocols, diagrams, plans, drawings, drawings, etc.), forensic photography provides a higher degree of visibility, objectivity, accuracy and completeness of capture.

The relevance of the introduction of advanced technical and forensic forms and methods of work is to a large extent associated with the introduction of new offenses into the criminal law, the emergence of new objects of forensic research.

The object of the study is the modern practice of photographic support for the process of investigating criminal cases and related problems.

The subject of the study was the system of photographic means and methods of fixation, the study of evidence in the production of examinations and the conduct of investigative actions.

The main goal of the course work is the study of photographic support for the process of investigating criminal cases through the use of photography, application software for image processing, technology for preparing illustrations, methods for storing and transmitting images in expert and investigative practice.

To achieve this goal, it is necessary to solve the following tasks:

1. Show the historiography of the issue.

2. Define the concept and consider the main methods of forensic photography.

3. Describe the main methods of forensic photography.

The methodological basis of the study was the provisions of the general theory of forensic science and forensic technology, studies of domestic and foreign specialists in photographic technology.

1. General characteristics of court photography

1.1. History of forensic photography

It is a branch of criminology, forensic technology,

It is a set of special photographic methods, methods, techniques,

It is used during operational activities, investigative actions, forensic examinations,

Serves the purposes of disclosure, investigation of crimes.

Obviously, the content side of the concept of "judicial" photography is mainly associated with the stage of the preliminary investigation and, to a much lesser extent, with the stage of the trial. Back in the late 50s, it was noted that "... judicial photography is now used in operational, investigative and expert practice, and photographic documents, in addition, in judicial practice" .

Thus, it is obvious that photographic means and methods, adapted or specially developed for solving the problems of solving and investigating crimes, are forensic in their purpose, objects and subjects of use. Consequently, photography as part of the section of forensic science - forensic technology, should be called forensic photography.

The objects of photography are any material bodies and their combinations, the need to fix which arises during the conduct of operational-search activities, investigative actions or expert studies. These can be: the situation and individual details of the scene, objects - material evidence, traces of crimes, persons, documents, instruments of crime, traces, etc.

Photographic means are sets of equipment used for photography, photo printing, and photographic materials (films, paper, plates, chemicals).

The forensic photography method is a set of rules and recommendations for the choice of photographic means, shooting conditions and processing of exposed photographic materials.

According to the field of activity and subjects of photography, it is customary to distinguish photography: operational-search, forensic-investigative, forensic (research).

Taking into account the goals and objectives of the use of photography court photograph uses methods of imprinting and research methods.

The first includes the following photography: measuring (large-scale, stereophotogrammetric), macro photography (small objects and traces), panoramic (fixes areas of the terrain that are significant in length), identification (fixes the face in front and profile), reproduction (for documents), etc.

Research methods include photography in infrared, ultraviolet, X-ray, gamma rays, microphotography, holography, color separation photography (with enhanced color or brightness contrast).

With the help of imprinting photography, obvious, visually perceived objects are fixed. For this, both ordinary, sometimes even household photographic equipment is used, as well as specially designed or adapted, for example, for covert photography during operational-search activities.

The results of such photography are drawn up in the form of photo tables, which are attached to the protocols of investigative actions or to materials reflecting the results of operational-search measures. In this case, photographs are considered as photographic documents and may be of evidentiary value.

Research photography is widely used in examinations and special studies of physical evidence, when it is necessary to identify and fix invisible or poorly visible features of the relevant objects, for example, by photographing in infrared and ultraviolet rays or in combination with microscopic studies.

At the same time, research photographs are also used as a means of illustrating expert opinions. For the same purposes, a photograph is used during examinations. Photographs taken during the examinations are also drawn up in the form of a photo table, which is attached to the expert's opinion. They illustrate the process and results of the study, clearly demonstrate the features of the objects under study, which form the basis of the conclusions.

The division of photography into capturing and research is arbitrary, since in expert practice not only research, but also capturing methods are used, and, conversely, research methods can be used in the investigation, for example, creating special conditions for shooting and processing photographic materials.

2. Forensic photography techniques

2.1. Methods and types of imprinting photography

Taking into account the goals and objectives of capturing photography in forensic practice, methods of panoramic, measuring, reproduction, signaletic photography, stereo photography, and macro photography are used.

Panoramic photography is the sequential shooting of an object with a conventional camera on several interconnected frames. The photographs made then are combined into a common picture - a panorama. This method is used for shooting at a given scale of objects that do not fit in a normal frame, for example, large areas of terrain, tall buildings, traces of vehicle treads, etc. Accordingly, panoramic photography can be horizontal or vertical. Such photography can also be done with a camera of a special design.

Panoramic photography with a conventional camera is carried out in two ways: circular and linear.

A circular panorama involves shooting an object from one place. The camera is rotated sequentially around the vertical (horizontal panorama) or horizontal (vertical panorama) axis. It is used in situations where it is necessary to capture a large space in the image and this is not hindered by structures, structures, etc. objects located on the ground. Shooting is carried out from a distance of at least 50 m.

Linear panorama involves moving the camera parallel to the object being filmed and at a small distance from it. It is used in situations when it is required to capture the situation in the image over a significant area, but limited in width, or when it is important to highlight small details in the image (for example, footprints, vehicle tread marks, etc.).

Circular and linear panoramas are made in compliance with the following general requirements:

Photographing is carried out from a tripod or (if it is not available) from a stable, rigid support;

When framing, the conventionally designated lower shooting line is strictly maintained and a small “overlapping zone” of frames is determined, which then makes it possible to mount the full image;

Pictures are printed at the same magnification, at the same shutter speed, and are developed at the same time, which ensures that they have the same density.

Measuring photography (sometimes called scale photography) provides information about the dimensional values of objects or their details captured in the image. The method of this photography was proposed at the end of the last century by A. Bertillon. Our compatriot S.M. worked a lot and effectively on its improvement. Potapov.

Measurement shooting can be carried out using special stereometric cameras. However, these cameras are quite difficult to operate, and their use requires special user training, so they are not widely used in investigative practice. As a rule, the measurement survey method is implemented using scales, i.e. special rulers, ribbons, squares with clearly marked dimensional values on them.

The scale will be placed next to the subject (for example, with a trace of a shoe, a hacking tool, a weapon, etc.) or on its surface (for example, on the floor or wall of a room, a section of the road with traces of a crime, etc.). The type of scale (ruler, tape, square) is selected taking into account the characteristics of the object and the purpose of shooting.

The scale bar is used to fix the dimensional values of individual objects, usually small in volume and area. In this case, the ruler is located next to the fixed object, at the level of its most important details and in the same plane with them. The camera is positioned so that the planes of the object being photographed and the rulers are strictly parallel to the plane of the film (back wall of the camera).

The tape scale (or depth scale) is used when shooting large areas of terrain or enclosed spaces, when it is necessary to determine the size and relative position of objects located in the depths of a room or other space at different distances from the camera from the images. As a depth scale, a strip of thick paper or fabric with divisions in the form of equal black and white squares with strictly defined side sizes (50 or 100 mm) is used. By the known sizes of divisions (squares) and taking into account the focal length of the lens, it is possible to determine the linear magnitudes of the objects depicted in the picture.

When shooting with a linear scale, the following rules should be observed:

The camera is installed so that the optical axis of its lens is parallel to the surface being filmed (floor, terrain);

The scale tape with a stretch is placed deep from the camera parallel to the optical axis of the lens (its beginning should be located strictly under the lens, for which it is recommended to use a plumb line attached to the camera).

The square scale is used when it is required to determine the size of the objects fixed on it from the image not only in depth, but also in width. It is a square piece of cardboard with side dimensions of 25, 50 or 100 cm and, accordingly, with divisions of 25, 50 or 100 mm. When shooting, several such scales can be used, located deep into and along the width of the area being filmed.

Stereo photography is a method that allows you to get the effect of volume, three-dimensionality of space in a photographic image.

A stereo image can be used to determine the shape, size and relative position of objects fixed on it. This is a relatively complex method in terms of execution technique, therefore it is used, as a rule, to fix the situation at such places of incidents as explosions, fires, crashes, disasters, when there is a pile of a large number of various objects, corpses. Stereo shooting is performed using a stereo camera or a conventional camera with a stereo attachment.

Reproduction photography is used to obtain photocopies of flat objects (drawings, diagrams, texts, etc.). Such shooting is carried out using ordinary SLR cameras (Zenith type) or special reproduction installations, or by copying onto reflex or contrast paper using a contact machine.

Reproductive installations are portable type "S-64", which are used in the conduct of investigative actions and operational-search activities in the "field" conditions, and stationary (type "Ularus"), used in laboratories.

Shooting with conventional photographic equipment requires the observance of two important conditions: the rear wall of the camera must be strictly parallel to the plane of the object being photographed, and the subject must be evenly lit.

Macro photography is a method of obtaining photographic images of small objects in full size or with a small increase without the use of a microscope. For such shooting, reflex cameras (Zenith type) with extension rings or macro attachments are used, and in laboratory conditions special installations (Ularus type). This achieves a zoom ratio of up to 20:1.

Signaletic (identification) photography of living persons and corpses is carried out for the purpose of their subsequent identification, forensic registration and search. Essentially, this is a kind of detailed shooting. The subject must be without headgear and glasses. The head should be in an upright position, the eyes are open, the hair is combed back so as not to cover the ears. As a rule, two chest shots of the face are taken (full face and right profile). Sometimes (for identification purposes) additional pictures of the left half-profile and full-length are taken. Pictures are printed at 1/7 actual size. To do this, when taking a picture in full face, the distance between the pupils of the eyes should be 1 cm. The rest of the pictures are taken on the same scale.

Identification shooting of the corpse can be carried out both at the place of its discovery and in the morgue, but in any case after a thorough toilet. Photographs are taken in full face, left and right profiles and semi-profiles in compliance with the above rules for shooting live faces.

For this type of shooting, medium and large format cameras are preferred, but it can be successfully carried out using ordinary narrow-film cameras. At the same time, painting or retouching of photographic images is not allowed.

Shooting types. To obtain a complete and visual representation of the features of the objects being filmed and their relative position, various types of surveys are used: orienting, overview, nodal, detailed. They allow you to systematize the material captured in the pictures and reveal its content in a certain logical sequence from the general to the particular.

Various types of filming are used during almost all investigative actions: a search, an investigative experiment, presentation for identification, etc. However, they are most often and fully encountered during an inspection of the scene.

Orientation photography is a fixation of the place of the investigative action in the environment, the details of which (trees, buildings, roads, etc.) act as landmarks for the subsequent precise determination of the place of the event or its fragments. Such shooting is carried out using the circular or linear panorama method. The place of the investigative action or the scene of the incident must be in the center of the picture (montage photo image).

Overview shooting is a fixation of a general view of the actual situation of the place of the investigative action. Its approximate boundaries are preliminarily determined, and the most important details are marked with pointers in the form of arrows with numbers. Overview shooting is carried out using a depth or square scale, sometimes using a panoramic method and from different angles.

Nodal photography is the fixation of individual large objects and the most important parts of the place of an investigative action or the situation of the scene of an incident: the place of a break-in, the discovery of a corpse, a hiding place, etc. Shooting objects are depicted in close-up so that their shape, size, nature of damage, relative position of traces, etc. can be determined from the image. Nodal photographs display a maximum of information about the features of the objects being filmed, which is sometimes difficult to describe in the protocol of an investigative action. Such photography, as a rule, is carried out with a scale, sometimes using a panoramic method, for example, to capture the scene of a disaster, accident, or fire.

Detailed photography is carried out in order to capture individual details of the place of the investigative action and its results, i.e. discovered things, objects, traces, etc. objects, as well as features that individualize such objects. Therefore, detailed shooting is carried out, firstly, at the place of detection of the object, and secondly, after it has been moved to another place convenient for this.

Photography during investigative actions is most often carried out in the "field" conditions, which involves the use of appropriate techniques and lighting equipment.

Orientation and panoramic photography in conditions of limited natural light is carried out using portable illuminators powered by car batteries or from the mains. Such illuminators are available in a set of mobile forensic laboratories. Their number and location are determined taking into account the size and features of the shooting.

Nodal, and sometimes overview photography can be carried out using a flash lamp. However, at the same time, sharply expressed shadows are displayed in the picture, "clogging" the important details of the objects being shot; therefore, it is recommended to shoot sequentially from several points, and, if possible, to carry out backlighting.

In the absence of artificial light sources, shooting in low light conditions can be achieved by increasing the shutter speed, which is determined using a photo exposure meter. The camera must be mounted on a tripod. Depending on the exposure time, self-timer or “freehand” shooting is used: using a cable (up to 2 minutes), by fixing the release button in the “shooting” position (over 2 minutes)

When shooting traces and individual objects in detail, the lighting is selected taking into account their type and features of the trace-perceiving object. In practice, for these purposes, the most commonly used:

Scattering lighting - when photographing surface, colored traces, for reproduction shooting of texts, diagrams, etc. objects;

Oblique illumination - when photographing three-dimensional traces (hacking tools, teeth, etc.);

Lighting "in the light", i.e. on the reverse side of the trace-bearing object, if it is transparent (for example, when photographing handprints on glass);

Combined lighting, i.e. oblique and scattering, sometimes multilateral - when photographing three-dimensional traces and individual objects (weapons, bullets, cartridge cases, etc.). Items are located at some distance from the substrate, which creates a background on the stands, which eliminates the formation of shadows on it.

2.2. Forensic Research Photography

Photography is widely used in almost all investigative actions. The tactics, procedural order and purpose of the investigative action predetermine the features of the methods and techniques of photography.

In the process of examining the scene of the incident, taking into account the tasks of each stage of this investigative action, it is necessary to fix the general view of the situation surrounding the scene of the incident, the actual scene of the incident, the traces and objects found on it, causally related to the crime event. For this, orienting, overview, nodal and detailed surveys are used, respectively.

At the same time, detailed shooting of individual objects and traces is of particular difficulty, since its goal is to capture not only the general appearance of the objects being photographed, but also the features that individualize them. Objects, traces must be at least recognizable by their photographs.

This is achieved:

Firstly, by preliminary processing of the objects being photographed in order to enhance the contrast of their features. For example, invisible or barely visible handprints are processed with fingerprint powders or chemical reagents; footprints in the snow are dusted with graphite powder; marking data on firearms (number, model, year of manufacture, etc.) are distinguished by powders that contrast against the background of the object being filmed, etc.;

Secondly, appropriate survey methods and techniques are selected. For example, traces of a car tread, a track of footprints are filmed using the linear panorama method; traces of hacking tools - macro photography, etc. If the traces are significant in length, the most informative parts of them are selected for shooting; breaking barriers are photographed from two opposite sides and always with a scale, etc.

Shooting of the corpse at the place of its discovery is carried out from three points: from the sides and from above. It is important to fix, first of all, its appearance and posture. You can not photograph the corpse from the side of the head or legs, as this leads to significant perspective distortions. If a dismembered corpse is found, each of its parts is photographed at the place of its discovery. Then a photograph is taken of all parts of the corpse, compiled into a single whole.

During the exhumation of a corpse, the general view of the grave, the coffin in the grave and the coffin removed from it are sequentially removed, and after opening it, the corpse.

Detailed photography of wounds on the body of a corpse, damage to clothing, etc. of objects is made with a scale, and if necessary on color photographic materials.

Photographing during the examination of living persons is aimed at fixing traces of a crime, special signs, tattoos, etc. on their bodies. In this case, one should be guided by the general rules of detailed shooting. Light filters and color photographic materials can be used to increase the contrast and visibility of fixed signs and traces. Conducting such a survey, ethical standards should be observed. It is not allowed to shoot a completely naked body - only its individual parts are photographed.

Photographing during a search is carried out in order to capture the situation, the process and the results of this investigative action. When the searched objects are found during the search, they are photographed sequentially: the place of their discovery, the process of removing them from a shelter or hiding place, their general appearance and individual characteristics. The image scale is determined taking into account the size of the objects being shot. If necessary, color photographic materials are used. Be sure to photograph items that cannot be stored in a criminal case: ammunition, explosives, pesticides, currency, etc.

Photographing upon presentation for identification aims at visual fixation of the objects of identification (living persons, animals, individual objects, terrain, etc.), the process and results of this investigative action. The objects of identification are first photographed all together in close-up. The identified object is filmed separately according to the rules of detailed or, if a face was identified, signaletic survey.

In cases where the identifying person drew attention to the special features of the identified person (tattoo, scars, birthmarks, etc.), they are indicated on the photograph by arrows, and if necessary, they are photographed separately.

Photography during an investigative experiment aims to capture the most important stages and results of the experiments carried out as part of this investigative action. The type and objectives of the experiment determine the features of photography.

For example:

If its implementation requires the reconstruction of the situation of the place of the event being checked, then photography is carried out twice - before and after the reconstruction;

If the experiment is carried out to establish the ability to see at a certain distance, then the location of the group that tests this ability and controls the object that needs to be seen should be imprinted on the overview picture;

If the possibility of a criminal entering the premises through a breach, a window is checked, then photography is carried out sequentially from the outside and inside of the room, etc. The resulting photographs are systematized according to the stages of the experiment and the ongoing experiments.

Photographing during verification of testimony on the spot is carried out in order to fix the route of movement of participants in this investigative action and the situation indicated by the person whose testimony is being verified. As a rule, general photography is carried out along the route of movement - from behind or from the side along the course of the participants in the investigative action.

If the verification of evidence is carried out at the scene of the incident, then photography must be carried out from the same points as when examining the scene of the incident. This rule should be observed when checking the testimony of several persons at the same place. This increases the visibility of photographs, enhances their evidentiary value.

Production and design of photo tables. Photographs reflecting the process and results of investigative actions are drawn up in the form of photo tables, which are attached to the protocols. Their purpose is to clearly and consistently show the facts revealed as a result of investigative actions. Photo tables are made by the person who took the photograph, in compliance with the following general rules:

The photographs in the photo table are arranged in the order corresponding to the sequence of descriptions in the protocol of the facts imprinted on them (orienting, overview, nodal, detailed). When carrying out complex investigative actions, for example, using the nodal method of examining the scene, repeatedly repeating experiments of an investigative experiment, etc., nodal and detailed pictures of each fragment of the investigative action are placed in the photo table after general orientation and overview pictures. All pictures in the photo table have a single, sequential numbering;

The inscriptions under the pictures should reveal their content, specify the object and place of shooting. For example, in the photo table to the protocol of inspection of the scene of theft from the apartment, the inscriptions under the pictures are performed as follows:

“Photo #1. Plot st. Vishneva, where in house No. 10 (decree 1), at entrance No. 3 (decree 2), a theft from apartment No. 75 was committed.

“Photo #2. House number 10 on the street. Cherry. Pitchfork from the side of entrance No. 3.

“Photo #3. Entrance door of apartment No. 75 with traces of forced entry (decree 1).”

“Photo #4. Traces of a break on the front door and the riser of its box in apartment No. 75, etc.

It is not advisable to indicate in the captions the methods and types of survey (panoramic, orienting, etc.) if this does not carry additional information;

Pictures in the photo table should be interconnected. The object in the detailed image is fixed on the nodal one; the situation reflected in the nodal image is shown in the overview.

At the same time, arrows indicate the locations of objects recorded on nodal and detailed images on orienting and overview images. Arrows-pointers are numbered, and in the inscriptions under the pictures it is explained what they point to;

Photographs are recommended to be taken in 13x18cm format, with the exception of orienting (panoramic fragments) and detailed ones, which may be smaller. They are glued onto standard forms of photo tables or onto sheets of thick paper using any glue other than silicate (the image deteriorates over time). Explanatory inscriptions are made on a typewriter before the pictures are pasted.

Each photo is sealed with a seal so that part of it is displayed on the form of the photo table. The photo table, regardless of the number of images, has a single title, for example, “Photo table is an appendix to the protocol for examining the scene of the incident on the fact of theft from apartment No. 75 at house No. 10 on the street. Vishneva, committed on March 17, 1995.

The photo table is signed by the person who made it and by the investigator. An envelope is pasted on the last sheet of the photo table, in which negatives are placed, and, if necessary, control photographs. The envelope is sealed.

2.3. Features of photography during certain investigative actions, registration of its results

Forensic research photography is quite widely used in the conduct of examinations and preliminary studies. With its help, the following tasks are solved:

Fixation of objects of study or their fragments with a significant increase, which makes it possible to more expressively and clearly show their particular features;

Identification and fixation of weakly visible or invisible to the naked eye features of the objects under study.

The resulting photographs are also used to illustrate the process and results of examinations and studies.

Forensic photographic studies are carried out using special methods: micro and macro photography, contrast and color separation photography, photography in the invisible zone of the spectrum (in infrared, ultraviolet, X-rays), including using the luminescence effect, etc.

When conducting examinations and research, the methods of capturing photography are also widely used (photography of the general view of the objects under study, the production of photo reproductions of the documents under study, etc.).

Microphotography, as its name suggests, is done using a microscope. Microphotography fixes signs, details of the object under study with a magnification of more than 10 times, i.e. practically indistinguishable to the naked eye. This method is used in the study of microtraces, microparticles, fibers and other micro-objects. With its help, identification and diagnostic tasks are solved.

For microphotography, photographic equipment, a microscope and means of illumination are used. The camera is attached to the microscope with a special coupling.

In expert practice, depending on the objects of study, biological, metallographic, textile and other microscopes are used for this. In this case, special microphoto attachments such as MFN-1, MFN-2, MFN-3 are often used, which are installed on the microscope tube. They are equipped with a shutter with a cable release, frosted glass for focusing and a special tube with a diopter mechanism for visual observation. Some microscope systems are structurally connected to the camera and are macro-installations, for example, MIM-5, MIM-6, MKU-16, Ultrafot, etc. Comparative microscopes of the MSK-type, specially designed for forensic research and photography, have become widely used in expert practice. 1, MSK-2, MS-51, etc.

When taking microphotographs, it is very important to choose the right lighting for the subject. It can be oblique, vertical, diffuse, but in any case it should provide optimal contrast of the details of the object being shot. For this, special illuminators are used.

Microphotography is carried out using negative photosensitive materials with high resolution, for example, photographic films such as Mikrat, Macro, etc. If microphotography is carried out in the invisible zone of the spectrum, special photographic plates are used that are sensitive to a certain wavelength.

Contrasting and color-separating photography is used to identify and fix poorly visible, etched, faded, flooded, erased texts, hard-to-see traces of hands, shoes, hacking tools, shot marks, images on faded photographs, etc. In this case, mainly ordinary photographic equipment is used, but with the use of specially developed methods of lighting and shooting techniques, as well as processing photographic materials.

Contrast photography allows you to change (increase or decrease) the contrast of the subject and its photographic image. In this case, contrast is understood as the ratio of the brightness of the lightest and darkest elements of the subject. The change in contrast is achieved during the shooting and subsequent processing of photographic film and photographic paper (primary contrast enhancement), as well as by additional processing of negative photographic images (secondary contrast enhancement).

High-contrast, high-resolution negative material is used for contrast photography. These are reproduction-line, high-contrast and high-contrast photographic plates, photographic films (FT-22, FT-31, FT-32), as well as photographic films with a contrast ratio of at least three (MZ-3, Mikrat-900).

Lighting is important when shooting with contrast. For this, special illuminators and various lighting techniques are used (lateral or oblique, vertical or direct, diffuse or diffuse, transmitted light illumination), which are selected taking into account the characteristics of the subject.

Side lighting is used to enhance contrast when shooting traces of weapon parts on spent bullets and cartridge cases, traces of hacking tools sliding on metal surfaces, erasure marks on a document, etc.

Vertical illumination enhances the contrast of a photographic image due to the uneven reflection of the light flux by the details and the background of the object being photographed. For example, sweat-fat traces of fingers reflect vertically incident light diffusely, and a polished surface, on which there are such traces, is specular. As a result, in the photograph, the traces are dark on a light background.

Ambient lighting allows you to enhance the contrast of subjects with slight, relatively smooth depressions or protrusions. In this case, the light flux is directed to the subject through scattering screens, for example, several layers of gauze are applied to the reflector of a flash lamp or its light is directed to a wall or ceiling.

Shooting in transmitted light allows you to enhance the contrast of the photographic image of traces and their details on transparent and translucent objects. In this case, the contrast is achieved due to the unequal transmission of light, for example, by glass and the sweat-fat substance of the fingerprint left on it. The light source is located behind the subject in such a way that the main light flux does not fall into the camera lens.

The contrast of a photographic image can be enhanced when negative materials are developed in contrast developers, by using contrast and high-contrast photographic paper such as Unibrom, Photobrom, Novobrom, etc. for making pictures.

A relatively simple, but quite effective way to enhance contrast is countertyping. Copies (countertypes) of the photographic image are made sequentially, by contact method on contrasting photographic materials. From the original negative, a positive image of the first generation is made, which is photographed again - a second generation negative is obtained, etc. From the last negative, the picture is printed on contrast photographic paper and developed in a contrast working developer.

Color separation photography allows you to enhance the brightness (optical density) of the color differences in the details of the subject in the photographic image. Such photography is widely used to restore texts filled with dyes, to establish the facts of addition or correction of texts in documents, to differentiate dyes, and to detect traces of a close shot. It is based on the physical laws of reproducing the entire spectrum of visible colors using three primary ones: blue, red, yellow.

An object (its details) is perceived in a certain color only because the corresponding rays are reflected by it, and all others are absorbed. The ratio of colors during photography can be adjusted using filters. Their color should match the background color of the object being photographed to the greatest extent possible. At the same time, its details of a different color appear in more contrast.

Photography in the invisible zone of the spectrum has a number of varieties.

Infrared photography is widely used in forensics to study traces of a close shot, documents, etc. objects. In this case, photographic materials are used that are sensitized to the infrared zone of the spectrum such as "Infra-740", "Infra-880". There are two methods of photographing in infrared rays: in reflected and infrared luminescence.

Photographing in reflected infrared rays is performed on reproduction installations, the internal parts of cameras, which are coated with dyes containing carbon compounds (which do not transmit infrared radiation). To isolate infrared rays from the total light flux, light filters IKS (infrared glass) and KS (red glass) are used.

Photographing infrared luminescence involves illuminating an object with visible light with the exclusion of infrared radiation from it. For this, light filters SZS (blue-green glass) are used. Visible light excites infrared luminescence - invisible luminescence, which is fixed by photography in special boxes impervious to visible light.

Photographing in ultraviolet rays is carried out to identify etched, faded and faded texts made with iron gall or sympathetic ink, to differentiate glass, glass products, as well as jewelry made from transparent minerals, traces of fuels and lubricants, blood, saliva and other human secretions. organism. In this case, the shooting is carried out both in reflected ultraviolet rays and in the luminescence excited by them.

For photographing in reflected ultraviolet rays, the camera is equipped with a quartz lens, mercury-quartz or luminescent light sources and UVC (purple glass) filters are used to highlight a certain area of ultraviolet rays. In this case, ordinary non-sensitized contrast photographic materials with a high resolution are used, for example, transparencies, photographic films, films of the Mikrat type. It is not recommended to press the subjects of shooting with glass, and also it is not recommended to use glass for fixing photographic material in the camera cassette.

Photographing of luminescence excited by ultraviolet rays is performed by any camera with a conventional lens. The object of shooting is illuminated with ultraviolet rays - a UV filter is installed in front of the light source. A stream of ultraviolet rays excites a luminescence glow on the subject. On their way (in front of the lens or behind it), a barrier light filter of the type BC, ZhS, etc. is installed, which transmits luminescence light and infrared rays, but delays ultraviolet rays. Photography is carried out using highly sensitive photographic materials sensitized to the color of luminescence.

Photographing in X-ray, gamma and beta rays is carried out without a camera, using special installations that generate these rays, which have a high penetrating power. A special cassette is loaded with x-ray film. The object of shooting (lock, pistol, etc.) is placed on it.

The emitter of the corresponding rays is installed above the cassette with the subject at a distance of 20-70 cm. When the subject is irradiated, the X-ray film is exposed, on which a negative, shadow image of all, including hidden, internal parts of the subject being filmed is obtained. The exposed X-ray film is processed in special solutions according to the method recommended by the manufacturer.

Conclusion

The purpose of the course research is achieved through the implementation of the tasks. As a result of the study on the topic "Forensic photography. Concept and types", a number of conclusions can be drawn:

At the origins of the formation of forensic photography as an applied field of knowledge, which has its own subject of study and accompanies the process of criminal proceedings, were scientists Alphonse Bertillon and Evgeny Fedorovich Burinsky. The first of them belongs to the formation and development of the imprinting, and the second - to the research direction of forensic photography.

At present, photography occupies a prominent place in the work of the internal affairs bodies and is widely used as a means of fixing evidence in the course of investigative actions. Photographic images allow us to perceive the captured objects in a subject-spatial form and to a greater extent than their verbal description in the protocol of an investigative action allows.

Methods in forensic photography are divided into capturing and research. The former serve to fix objects visible to the eye without the use of special devices. The second - mainly to identify and fix details, color and brightness differences, invisible to the eye under normal conditions.

With the help of capturing methods, it is possible to capture the progress and results of investigative actions, the general appearance of objects of forensic examinations, reproduction, obtaining stereoscopic images, including source images for subsequent photogrammetry.

The research methods used primarily in the production of forensic examinations include color separation and contrast photography, photographing in the invisible regions of the spectrum, registration of luminescence radiation, microphotography.

When working with digital images, new possibilities for image processing appear, and photographic studies can be carried out in a short time, while there is no need to select special photographic materials and methods for their processing.

With the advent of digital photography, a qualitatively new stage in the development of means of capturing visual information is associated. Forensic science is no exception, designed to widely use modern achievements in science and technology in order to detect and investigate crimes.

The appearance of digital cameras with an electronic light-receiving surface opens up wide opportunities for converting images of captured objects into a form convenient for computer processing and obtaining copies (prints) on a wide range of media: hard disk, CD, thermal paper, writing paper.

Modern means of printing make it possible to obtain images with good halftone reproduction and high resolution, comparable to the resolution of photographic materials. Images recorded in electronic form can be stored for a long time, and with the availability of automated search systems, finding them will take a little time in a large multi-disk archive. This way you can store images of natural collections, photographic file cabinets, and other forensic records. At the same time, methods of computer-assisted image enhancement and image conversion become available.

The practical value of forensic photography is exceptionally great. It serves as the main means of capturing the appearance of a wide variety of objects that have evidentiary value in criminal cases, their features, and in some cases their properties. Photographs can serve not only as illustrative material, but also as a source of evidence, a means for searching for and identifying various objects. The use of photographic research methods significantly expand the possibilities of forensic and other types of forensic examinations.

Bibliographic list of references

1. Gradoboev V.M. Forensic photography for investigators: Part 1. Tutorial. - L., 1987.

2. Dushein S.V., Egorov A.G., Zaitsev V.V. etc. Judicial photography. St. Petersburg: Peter, 2005.

3. Egorov A.G. Court photograph. St. Petersburg: Peter, 2005,

4. Criminalistics. / Ed. Belkina S.R. - M.: Beck 2000.

5. Criminalistics. Ed. V.A. Obraztsova. M.: 1999. S. 626.

6. Criminalistics. Under. ed. Panteleeva I.F., Selivanova N.A. Textbook. M.; 1993. P.27.

7. Kuznetsov V.V. Forensic photography, video recording in the detection and investigation of crimes. - M.: YUI MVD RF, 1999.

8. Polevoy N.S., Ustinov A.I. Forensic photography and its use in forensic examination. - M .: Higher School of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the RSFSR, 1990. - P. 14.

9. Selivanov N. A., Eisman A. A. Judicial photography. - M., 1965. P. 47.

10. Silkin P.F. Forensic research photography. - Volgograd: Higher School of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 1999.

11. Photofixation of significant incident sites: Study guide. - M.: VNKTSMVD USSR, 1991;

Egorov A.G. Court photograph. St. Petersburg: Piter, 2005. Sy123

Kuznetsov V.V. Decree. op. pp.39-47.

Tutoring

Need help learning a topic?

Our experts will advise or provide tutoring services on topics of interest to you.
Submit an application indicating the topic right now to find out about the possibility of obtaining a consultation.

Photography in the work of the internal affairs bodies occupies a prominent place and is widely used as a means of fixing evidence in the course of investigative actions. Photographic images allow us to perceive the captured objects in a subject-spatial form and in a larger volume than their verbal description in the protocol of an investigative action allows.

The study of forensic photography involves the study of not only its special types, but also general photography, since without knowledge of the basics of general photography it is difficult to master the techniques of forensic photography.

In 1989, it was 150 years since photography was discovered. From the first years of its existence, it has been used not only in everyday life, but has also been used in solving purely scientific problems. Photography (photo-light, grapho-writing).

The appearance of photography was preceded by the discoveries of many scientists. The first camera (camera obscura) was a light-tight box with a hole in the wall, the principle of which was described in his writings by the outstanding Italian scientist and Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci. A great contribution to the development of photography was made by the French Joseph Nicephore Niepce, Louis-Jacques Mande Daguerre and the Englishman William Fox Henry Talbolt. Daguerre, who worked with Niepce until 1883, obtained the image on a silver plate treated with mercury vapor and fixed with a solution of common salt. He called his method daguerreotype. In his works, Daguerre used materials from Niepce's research, but he never mentioned this. Daguerre's technology did not allow multiplying pictures, and only the invention of the Englishman Talbolt laid the foundation for the development of a negative-positive method for obtaining photographs and contributed to the discovery of a new method for preparing photosensitive paper. In 1835, Talbolt, having impregnated paper with silver chloride, received on it a photograph of the window of his house in the form of a negative. Then, applying to it paper treated with the same solution, he received a positive print. The pictures were far away

from perfection, but with his invention, Talbolt proved the possibility of replicating prints.

Photography, originating in France and England, quickly spread to other countries. In Russia, the first photographic images were obtained by the Russian chemist and botanist Julius Fedorovich Fritzsche, who, having studied the Talbolt method, proposed

To improve the image, replace sodium thiosulfite (hyposulfite) in the developing solution with ammonia. Other Russian scientists and inventors also made a great contribution to the development of photography. Self-taught inventor I.V. Boldyrev proposed a method for

preparation of a transparent flexible film a few years before the release of such films by the American company Kodak, S.A. Yurkovskiy made a curtain-slit shutter for short exposures, I.I. Filipenko designed a traveling photo laboratory, S.L. designed a photographic camera with soft fur for focusing. This method of focusing is also used in modern large-format cameras. In addition, Levitsky proposed the use of an electric arc when shooting under adverse conditions. The founder of scientific and forensic photography is the Russian specialist E.F. Burinsky. In 1894, on behalf of the Russian Academy of Sciences, he organized a laboratory for the photographic restoration of ancient writings. He developed a method that made it possible to read the missing text of letters of the 11th century. On rawhide, which was previously considered hopeless by researchers. Burinsky applied the method he developed for restoring extinct texts, which consists in a stepwise increase in the contrast of the original text. In view of the great historical significance of this work, the Russian Academy of Sciences awarded E.F. Burinsky the M.V. Lomonosov Prize "for a research method equal to the importance of a microscope."

In the 70s. of the last century, attempts have been made to use photography for the purposes of registration and investigation. The French police were the first to use photography (1841). Then reports of photographing criminals appeared in Belgium, Switzerland and other countries. At this time, special methods and equipment were being developed for photographing criminals. Significant results in this area were achieved by the French criminologist A. Bertillon, who designed several cameras for identification shooting, shooting at the scene and for shooting corpses. He also developed the rules for signaling and measuring photography. An example of the use of photography in the search can serve as a message from the "Yuridicheskaya Gazeta" for 1896, which described the search for two prisoners who had escaped from the Yaroslavl jail. "The warden of the prison remembered that one of the fugitives wrote letters to the Volokolamsky district of the Moscow province, and sent a search request there, attaching photographs of the wanted persons to it. According to the descriptions, they were detained and identified by photographs, and then returned to the jail."

Along with the use of photography in search and registration work, it is also being introduced into forensic examination. E.F. Burinsky worked a lot and fruitfully in this direction. In 1892, at the St. Petersburg District Court, he created a forensic photographic laboratory at his own expense. In 1893, instead of it, under the prosecutor of the St. Petersburg Court of Justice, a government forensic photographic laboratory was created, the management of which was entrusted to E.F. Burinsky. In 1912, the laboratory was transformed into the St. Petersburg office of scientific and forensic examination, which marked the beginning of the creation of forensic institutions in Russia.

Developing the use of photography in investigative work, E.F. Burinsky is developing techniques and means of forensic photography. Unlike Hans Gross, who recommended the use of photography just in case, E.F. Burinsky believed that it was necessary to develop rules for judicial photography, which should be reflected in the law and be binding on everyone.

The first work on the use of photography in the fight against crime was the book by S.M. Potapov "Forensic Photography" (1926), in which he defined forensic photography as a system of "scientifically developed methods of photographic photography used to solve crimes and present court of visual evidentiary material". The work went through three editions. In the last edition of this work (1948), S. M. Potapov divided the system of forensic photography into: forensic operational photography and forensic photographic examination. The first, in his opinion, contains methods of capturing photography - signaletic, metric, scale, reproduction and detective. The second covers three types of expertise: to establish identity, to identify details inaccessible to ordinary vision, and to detect the invisible. Such a division of photography is relative, since the same methods and techniques of photographic shooting can, in principle, be used by both the investigator and the forensic expert.

The definition of court photography proposed by S. M. Potapov has essentially survived to the present day. It has only been specified and somewhat modernized. In the recommended textbook (vol. 1, 1987), this definition is as follows: "Forensic photography is one of the sections of forensic technology. It is a system of scientific provisions and developed on the basis of photographic methods, tools and techniques used in fixing and investigation of evidence for the detection and prevention of crimes".

By photographic means they mean equipment for shooting, accessories to it, photographic materials and chemical reagents used for their processing. Photographic methods and techniques are a system of rules and recommendations for the use of photographic means to obtain photographic images.

The practical value of forensic photography is exceptionally great. It serves as the main means of capturing the appearance of a wide variety of objects of evidentiary value in criminal cases, their signs, and in a number

cases and properties. Photographs can serve not only as illustrative material, but also as a source of evidence, a means for searching for and identifying various objects. The use of photographic research methods significantly expand the possibilities of forensic and other types of forensic examinations.

Being a section of forensic technology, forensic photography, taking into account the tasks facing it and the scope of its application, is conventionally divided into operational-search, forensic-investigative and forensic (forensic-research) photography. Forensic-investigative and operational-search photography can be combined into one group - capturing photography, since the methods of the latter are mainly used in the work of the investigator and the operative worker. The objects of shooting in investigative practice are: places of incidents with their situation, corpses, traces of a crime and a criminal, material evidence, persons accused of committing a crime. The objects of shooting used in the process of operational-search activity are the event of the crime and the person who commits it. The division of photography into capturing and research is also conditional, since in expert practice not only research, but also capturing methods are used, and, conversely, research methods can be used in the investigation, for example, the creation of special conditions for shooting and processing photographic materials.

The photographs obtained during the performance of various investigative actions are photographic documents-attachments to the protocols of the corresponding investigative actions. The production of these photographic documents is noted in the protocol of the investigative action, and the photographs themselves are drawn up in the form of photo tables with explanatory inscriptions, or attached to the case in an envelope. Photo-tables are signed by the investigator and the person who took the picture.

From photographic documents-attachments to protocols of investigative actions it is necessary to distinguish photographic documents-material evidence obtained outside the proceedings in a criminal case. These photographs, after viewing them, are attached to the case by the investigator by a special resolution and serve as a full-fledged means of proof.

Forensic photography has a different challenge. On the basis of scientifically developed methods of forensic photography, objects that have or may have evidentiary value in a criminal case are investigated. Photographs taken in the course of an expert study serve as illustrative material for the expert's conclusion and allow you to follow the course of the examination, to verify with your own eyes the presence or absence of certain signs in the objects of study.

The features identified in the process of photographic examination, the expert puts in the basis of the conclusion, i.e. they are an integral part of the conclusion, which has the value of means of proof. It is clear that the procedural mode of photographic images can be different. During the production of investigative actions, expert research, it becomes necessary to capture certain material objects, the general view of the scene, traces, material evidence, as well as the stages of the investigative action and expert research. For these purposes, criminalistics, based on the intended purpose, has developed special types and methods of photographic shooting.

This is a section of forensic technology, which is a system of methods and types of shooting used in the conduct of investigative actions, operational-search actions (ORD), forensic examinations for the purpose of investigating crimes.

Court photography features:

1. Special areas of application: in operational, investigative, expert practice
2. Certain subjects are crime-related subjects.
3. Special purposes of shooting - for materials of a criminal case
4. Specific shooting methods and techniques
5. Special equipment and accessories
6. A certain circle of people who take pictures are investigators, operatives, an expert, a prosecutor, persons specified in the Code of Criminal Procedure.
7. Special rules for the design of photographs.

The use of photography must be reflected in the protocol of the investigative action. Article 166 of the Criminal Procedure Code says that photographs can be attached to the protocol, negatives and photography is one of the ways to fix evidence. Each photograph must be signed from which it follows where, when and what is captured and the shooting parameters.

The value of forensic photography for forensic science is quite significant, as it is one of the ways to fix and study the material signs of a crime. With the help of photography, you can capture the situation of the scene, various objects, traces of the crime, while the situation at the scene of the incident is not violated, the state of the traces is not violated. In addition, with the help of photography, you can see the details and signs of objects that are not perceived by the naked eye, and so on.

The whole system of forensic photography is divided into 2 structural parts:

1. Imprinting is a photograph that objectively captures all objects and objects observed by the investigator. With the help of capturing shooting, properties, signs of objects that are accessible to the naked eye are recorded. Still in forensic science, capturing photography is usually called forensic-operational photography, since it is produced by an investigator or an operative worker.

The objects of forensic photography are: the scene of the incident, corpses, traces of crimes, material evidence, persons accused of committing crimes, etc.

Typical types of forensic operational photography are - photographing the scene, photographing other investigative actions, photographing corpses, photographing individual objects, material evidence, objects.

Photographing of the listed species is carried out using appropriate photographic methods and techniques. The methods of forensic photography are understood as a set of rules and recommendations for the choice of photographic means and shooting conditions in order to obtain a photographic image that meets the required characteristics. Recording methods include:

Panoramic

It lies in the fact that when photographing some objects, objects located at a greater distance or extent, it is impossible to capture the whole picture in one frame. The object is removed in parts, and then the parts are made up and a panoramic (single) image is obtained. Panorama can be:

Circular - the investigator stands still and rotates around its axis and takes pictures. The following rules must be observed - each subsequent shot must duplicate the previous frame by 10-15%, there must be a single horizon line, the shooting parameters must be the same.

Linear - associated with the movement of the camera parallel to the object being shot. Each subsequent frame should capture 10-15% of the previous frame

vertical - from top to bottom.

Measuring

Allows you to determine the true size of the object being photographed or the distance between them from a photograph. There are the following measuring methods:

With scale bar

Tape depth scale - laid out deep into the object being shot

square scale

reproduction

Used to make copies of documents

Identification

It is used to capture the external appearance of a person for the purpose of its registration, identification of a person. Identification pictures are used for forensic examinations (portrait identification). As an identification shooting, the face is captured in full face, in the right profile, if necessary, in 34 turns of the head to the right, in full growth. When photographing on the chest of the person being photographed, a scale ruler is strengthened and photographs are prepared on a scale of 1: 7

Stereoscopic.

2. Research

It is a system of photography methods used mainly in the production of forensic examinations. The methods are:

a. Shadow

Based on the detection of relief images using shadows.

b. Color separation (contrasting)

The main purpose is to identify differences in colors and shades of the same color. An example is the execution of a fake document (subscriptions, additions, etc.)

c. Shooting in invisible rays-spectra

Photography in infrared, ultraviolet, X-ray gamma, beta rays. For example, shooting in infrared rays allows you to examine documents filled with some kind of dyes, crossed out, etc. For this, an electron-optical converter is used. Ultraviolet rays make it possible to see invisible and faintly visible records that, for example, have faded or etched. With the help of x-rays, you can determine what is, for example, in a suitcase.

d. Microphotography

It is used in the study of small strokes and traces. To do this, the camera is connected to a microscope.

Features of photographing the scene

When photographing the scene of the incident, various techniques are used: orienting, overview, nodal, detailed.

The official date of the invention of modern photography is January 7, 1839. From the first years of its existence, it has not only been used in everyday life, but has also been used in solving purely scientific problems.

Photo (from the Greek "photos" - light, "grafo" - draw, write) literally means drawing with light. The appearance of photography was preceded by the discoveries of many scientists. First camera (pinhole camera) It was a light-tight box with a hole in the wall, the principle of which was described in his writings by the outstanding Italian scientist and artist Leonardo da Vinci. Such a device reliably served for the mechanical sketching of objects of the outside world. It was "photo before photography".

Englishman received an image on a silver plate treated with mercury vapor and fixed with a solution of common salt. He called his method daguerreotype. Daguerre's technology did not allow multiplying pictures, and only the invention of English

In 1835, Talbot, having impregnated paper with silver chloride, received on itwindow snapshot your home in the form of a negative

Nina William Henry Fox Talbot

marked the beginning of the development of a negative-positive method for obtaining photographs and contributed to the discovery of a new method for making photosensitive paper.

In Russia, the first photographic images were obtained by the Russian chemist and botanist Yu. F. Fritzsche. Other Russian scientists and inventors also made a great contribution to the development of photography. The founder of scientific and forensic photography is a Russian criminologist E. F. Burinsky. In 1894, on behalf of the Russian Academy of Sciences, he organized a laboratory for the photographic restoration of ancient writings. Burinsky applied the method he developed for restoring extinct texts, the essence of which is a stepwise increase in the contrast of the original text.

In the 70s of the XIX century. attempts are being made to use the photograph for registration and investigation purposes. The French police were the first to use photography (1841). Significant results in this area were achieved by the French criminologist A. Bertillon, who designed several cameras for identification shooting, shooting at the scene and for shooting corpses. He also developed the rules for signaletic and measuring photography. Along with the use of photography in search and registration work, it is also being introduced into forensic examination. E. F. Burinsky worked a lot and fruitfully in this direction. In 1892, at the St. Petersburg District Court, he created a forensic photographic laboratory. In 1893, under the prosecutor of the St. Petersburg Court of Justice, a government forensic photographic laboratory was created, the management of which was entrusted to E. F. Burinsky. In 1912, the laboratory was transformed into the St. Petersburg office of scientific and forensic examination, which marked the beginning of the creation of forensic institutions in Russia. Developing the use of photography in investigative work, Burinsky is developing techniques and means of forensic photography. The scientist believed that it was necessary to develop rules for court photography, which should be binding.

The first work on the use of photography in the fight against crime was the book by S. M. Potapov "Forensic Photography" (1926).

At present, forensic photography is a system of theoretical provisions, borrowed to a certain extent from the technical sciences and adapted by forensic scientists, taking into account the results of the generalization of forensic investigative practice. Technological progress could not but affect the content of court photography.

So, forensic photography is a branch of forensic technology, which is a system of scientific provisions and photographic methods, tools and techniques developed on their basis, used in the process of collecting, researching and using evidence.

One of the conditions for a successful investigation of crimes is an accurate and objective fixation of the circumstances and facts relevant to the case. An essential condition for the use of photography in the investigation of crimes and the production of examinations is that it must precede any other method of fixing forensic objects and be carried out in accordance with scientific recommendations.

In the system of judicial photography, two structural parts are distinguished according to the scope of application: capturing and research.

Impressive photography - this is a system of scientific provisions, techniques and methods of shooting used in the production of investigative actions and operational-search activities, used to fix objects visible to the eye without the use of special devices. The objects of shooting in investigative practice are: places of incidents with their situation, corpses, traces of a crime and a criminal, material evidence, persons accused of committing a crime. The photographs obtained during the performance of various investigative actions are photographic documents-attachments to the protocols of the corresponding investigative actions. The objects of shooting used in the process of operational-search activity are the event of the crime and the person who committed it.

research photography includes a number of scientific and technical provisions, techniques, means and methods of photography adapted for collecting, researching and using evidence in the course of forensic research, mainly to identify and fix details, color and brightness differences that are not visible to the eye under normal conditions . Photographs taken in the course of an expert study serve as illustrative material for the expert’s conclusion and allow you to follow the course of the examination, personally verify the presence or absence of certain features in the objects of study, and are an integral part of the conclusion, which has the value of means of proof.

The division of forensic photography into capturing and research is conditional, since in expert practice not only research, but also capturing methods are used, and vice versa: research methods can be used in an investigation - for example, the creation of special shooting conditions.

Currently in forensic practice is actively used digital photography. The era of digital photography began with the creation and implementation of a photosensor or photosensor, which is a light-sensitive device consisting of a matrix and an analog-to-digital converter.

A digital image is a sequence of digital data recorded on an electronic information carrier. The file contains not only the image itself, but also technical information recorded by a digital camera, about shooting modes, camera settings, information about the manufacturer and model, camera serial number, image serial number according to the internal counter, date and time of shooting.

Digital photography eliminates the labor-intensive process of exposure and processing of light-sensitive materials, simplifies photofixation due to automatic modes (focusing, exposure, color balance) and highly sensitive receivers, allows you to get a photo table in a short time, and does not require preparatory work. Digital cameras can operate in a variety of lighting conditions without the need for special film selection. It is possible to view the footage directly at the shooting location. For the purpose of operational verification of persons according to reference, forensic and investigative records, it is possible to transfer the footage over remote distances with a modem connection. It is possible to convert the object of shooting into a form convenient for computer processing, and get copies (prints) of it on a wide range of media: hard disk, CD, thermal paper, writing paper. Images recorded electronically can be stored for a long time in a large multi-disc archive. This way you can store images of natural collections, photographic file cabinets, and other forensic records.

Modern means of printing make it possible to obtain images with good halftone reproduction and high resolution, comparable to the resolution of photographic materials. At the same time, methods of computer-assisted image enhancement and image conversion become available. You can improve the image quality by filtering, suppress the background and reveal faint features, increase the contrast, sharpen the image. These operations allow you to see and evaluate (recognize) poorly visible, and sometimes invisible details.

The digital photography process is as follows:

- preparation for shooting, exposure, image acquisition; image processing and editing;
- receiving a photo image or printing copies.

Successful work requires special digital devices for input, output and storage of images, as well as software tools - graphic editors that allow you to:

- image enhancement;
- compression of its electronic representation into a file using various graphic editors;
- application of filters and special effects;
- retouching (removal of defects).

To obtain an image on paper, it is necessary to use high-resolution raster printers (600, 1200, 1800 dpi) - laser printers and thick, opaque paper with a uniform paper web structure and a high degree of whiteness.

The procedural procedure for the use of photography is enshrined in Art. 166 Code of Criminal Procedure. Before starting the inspection of the scene of the incident, the investigator is obliged to warn all participating persons about the use of photography, which should be noted in the introductory part of the protocol. Based on the results of the inspection, a photo table is made and drawn up as an appendix to the protocol of the inspection of the scene, with the corresponding number. Each photograph is sealed with a seal of the relevant law enforcement agency, each page of the photo table is signed by the person who compiled it.

Forensic photography is understood as a scientifically developed system of methods and methods of photography used in investigative and operational-search activities, as well as in expert research.

Photographs are attached to the protocols of investigative actions or to the expert's conclusion. They document the objects imprinted on them, allowing you to visually perceive: signs of an object (trace); the environment in which the investigative action was carried out (inspection, search); results of an expert study. Such clarity not only complements the descriptive part of the protocol (the research part of the expert's opinion), but also makes it possible to perceive signs or situations, the presentation of which is difficult due to their significant number or complexity of perception. Photographing as an objective form of imprinting has a number of advantages over any verbal (verbal) method of fixation: the documentary nature of the images obtained, their visibility, high accuracy and objectivity in the transfer of information, the relative speed of the fixation process. All this, combined with the use of modern photographic equipment, makes forensic photography one of the most important ways of fixing evidence.

Forensic photography, as a set of methods for reliable fixation and scientific research, is widely used in modern practice. As a means of fixation in the course of investigative actions, photographing is provided for by a number of articles of the Code of Criminal Procedure of the RSFSR. So, in Art. 141 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (protocol of an investigative action) states that photographs can be attached to the protocol. In Art. 179 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (inspection procedure), photography is listed along with other methods of visual fixation: photography, filming, drawing up plans, diagrams, making casts, etc. A similar wording is contained in Art. 183 Code of Criminal Procedure (investigative experiment). Article 84 of the Code of Criminal Procedure prescribes photographing physical evidence, especially those that, due to their bulkiness or for other reasons, cannot be stored in a criminal case.

Methods and methods of forensic photography in terms of their goals and capabilities can be classified as either capturing or research. Imaging methods include panoramic, measuring, reproduction, stereoscopic, identification, and large-scale surveys.

For research - microphotography, photography in order to enhance the contrast of the image and photography in the invisible rays of the spectrum. Imprinting methods are

Chapter 12

clamps for fixing signs visible to the naked eye. Research - hidden signs. With the help of research methods, traces of forgeries in documents are revealed, microsigns are studied, etc.

Forensic photography is divided into forensic, operational, forensic. Forensic or operational photography is carried out using mainly imaging methods. Forensic science uses both exploratory and imprinting. A forensic photograph is used: a) when examining the scene of an accident, a corpse, material evidence, documents (Article 178 of the Code of Criminal Procedure); b) when examining living persons (Article 181 of the Code of Criminal Procedure); c) during a search (Article 170 of the Code of Criminal Procedure); d) in the course of an investigative experiment (Article 183 of the Code of Criminal Procedure); e) upon presentation for identification (Article 165 of the Code of Criminal Procedure); f) for the purpose of registering living persons and corpses. Expert photography is used in all types of forensic examinations and in many types of examinations of other classes (forensic, forensic automotive, forensic fire and technical, etc.).

Along with the methods, there are private methods of photographing, which include orienting, overview, nodal and detailed photography.

The combination of methods and private photography techniques used to shoot a specific object form a type of forensic photography (see diagram 1).

Carrying out one or another type of photography, choose such methods and. photographic techniques that would ensure the best possible capture of objects or facts of probative value.