Photography in Forensic Medicine: Guidelines and Recommendations in the Indian Perspectiv
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/Keywords:
Forensic Photography, Documentation, Court, JusticeAbstract
Photography has been an integral part of Forensic Medicine since time immemorial. Since these photographs are predominantly used for legal purposes, they should be as accurate and informative as possible. Photographs are not only important to document injuries, but also to document absence of injuries (negative photographs).The major factor with photography in Forensic Medicine is that the photographs are not repeatable and also that one copy has to be submitted to the courts. Therefore utmost care is required when the photographs are taken and preserved. A good photograph not only gives detailed information of the incident but also assists the court in administration of justice. The present paper not only addresses common problems faced by the Forensic Medicine experts while taking photographs, but also provides guidelines and technical suggestions for better photography. Along with that new concepts in medical photography are also discussed.
Downloads
References
Peterson GF, Clark SC. Forensic autopsy performance standards. The Am. J of Forensic medicine and Pathology. 2006; 27(3):200-25. 2. Moreno A, Crosby S, Xenakis S, Iacopino V. Implementing Istanbul Protocol standards for Forensic evidence of torture in Kyrgyzstan. Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine. 2015; 30:39- 42
Istanbul Protocol: manual on the effective investigation and documentation of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment / Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Geneva. United Nations High Commissioner for Human R, editor. New York: United Nations; 2001.
Dexheimer JW, Borycki EM. Use of mobile devices in the emergency department. Studies in health technology and informatics. 2013; 192:1086
Migliore M. Smartphones or tablets for a better communication and education between residents and consultant in a teaching hospital. Journal of Surgical Education. 2013; 70(4):437-8.
Mosby's Medical Dictionary 2009 [cited 2015 February 18]. 8th edition:[Available from: http://medical dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/consent.
Ozkalipci O, Volpellier M. Photographic documentation, a practical guide for non-professional Forensic photography. Torture: quarterly journal on rehabilitation of torture victims and prevention of torture. 2010;20(1):45-52.
Spraggs D. How to Photograph Injuries 2007 [cited 2015 18 Feburary]. Available from:http://www.policemag.com/channel/patrol/articles/2007/09/how -to-photograph-injuries.aspx.
Redsicker, David R. The Practical Methodology of Forensic Photography: General Shooting Tips. Boca Raton, Fla. : CRC Press; 2000.
Forensic photography: In: Emergency Care of the Abused. [Internet]. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 2008 [cited Accessed 17 February 2015]. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511547232.010
Dolinak D, Matshes E, Lew EO. Forensic Pathology: Principles and Practice: Elsevier Science; 2005.
Verhoff MA, Witzel C, Kreutz K, Ramsthaler F. The ideal subject distance for passport pictures. For. Sci. International 2008; 178(2- 3):153-6.
Verhoff MA, Witzel C, Ramsthaler F, Kreutz K. [The influence of camera-to-object distance and focal length on the representation of faces]. Archiv fur Kriminologie. 2007;220(1-2):36-43.
Verhoff MA, Kettner M, Lászik A, Ramsthaler F. Digital Photo Documentation of Forensically Relevant Injuries as Part of the Clinical First Response Protocol. Deutsches Ärzteblatt International. 2012; 109(39):638-42.
Skandarajah A, Reber CD, Switz NA, Fletcher DA. Quantitative Imaging with a Mobile Phone Microscope. PLOS ONE. 2014; 9(5):e96906.
Anderson RR. Polarized light examination and photography of the skin. Archives of dermatology. 1991; 127(7):1000-5.
Potash GD. Forensic Tips. Evidence Technology Magazine. Sep Oct 2010.
Sommers MS, Fisher BS, Karjane HM. Using colposcopy in the rape exam: health care, forensic, and criminal justice issues. Journal of Forensic nursing. 2005; 1(1):28-34, 19.
Jones JS, Dunnuck C, Rossman L, Wynn BN, Nelson-Horan C. Significance of toluidine blue positive findings after speculum examination for sexual assault. The Am. J of Em. Medicine 2004; 22(3):201-3.
Ramsthaler F, Kettner M, Potente S, Gehl A, Kreutz K, Verhoff MA. Original oder manipuliert? Rechtsmedizin. 2010; 20(5):385-92. 21. Albrecht UV, von Jan U, Kuebler J, Zoeller C, Lacher M, Muensterer OJ, et al. Google Glass for documentation of medical findings: evaluation in forensic medicine. Journal of Medical Internet research. 2014; 16(2): e53.
West MH, Barsley RE, Hall JE, Hayne S, Cimrmancic M. The detection and documentation of trace wound patterns by use of an alternative light source. Journal of Forensic Sciences 1992; 37(6):1480-8.
Barsley RE, West MH, Fair JA. Forensic Photography: Ultraviolet Imaging of Wounds on Skin. The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology. 1990; 11(4):300-8.