What is a basic principle of crime scene photography?

• A. Take photos only after evidence is moved to lab.
• B. Preserve the scene, capture unaltered, labeled photos from multiple angles, and avoid altering evidence.
• C. Photos should be edited to enhance visibility.
• D. Use only close-ups of the most important items.

Answer: (B)

Capturing a crime scene effectively relies on recording it exactly as it appears, without changing anything, and doing so from multiple perspectives. You want to preserve the scene in its original state and document everything with careful labeling so the documentation tells the true layout and context.

That means photographs should be taken before moving or touching evidence, showing the overall area as well as important details. Include wide shots to establish where items are, mid-range shots to show relationships between items, and close-ups to capture fine details, with a scale or ruler when size matters. Each image should be clearly labeled with basic information like case number, location, date, time, and photographer, so the chain of custody and the integrity of the evidence are maintained.

Photos must remain unaltered so the original information is preserved; any adjustments should not change what the image shows and should be documented if performed. This upholds the reliability of the evidence in court.

Moving evidence before photographing it erases crucial relationships and context. Editing to enhance visibility can misrepresent what happened and undermine trust in the record. Relying only on close-ups misses the broader scene and spatial relationships that help investigators piece together the sequence of events.