DH+Photography+Project


 * The earliest known use of forensic photography was in 1843 and 1844 in Belgium, then in Denmark in 1851. The photos taken, however, were mostly mug shots of prisoners. There was no training required, and many of the photos taken were by commercial photographers and sometimes even prison officials.
 * By the 1870's, the practice of forensic photography spread to many countries, though it was limited to larger cities. Professional photographers would be employed to take pictures of the criminals, and this was early evidence that led to the standard mug shot known today.
 * This was the first time that people saw portraiture being used for something other than art. The mug shots had no interesting lighting or angles.
 * The practice of taking mug shots was a standard police regulation until the latter part of the 19th century. This process was then only used to take pictures of criminals convicted of serious offenses. This was, of course, by discretion of the police.
 * Unlike mug shots, crime photography allows more room for creative interpretation and variance of style. This process includes:
 * taking pictures of the victim
 * scars, wounds, birthmarks, etc.
 * pictures of the scene
 * placement of objects
 * position of the body
 * photos of evidence and fingerprints
 * This development of forensic photography is responsible for radical changes in the field, including public involvement (appearing in newspaper) and new interpretations and purposes of the field.
 * As forensic photography grey, it yielded negative and positive effects
 * Positive
 * increases awareness by exposing the crimes
 * has been gained support, and has led to the starting of movements and programs dedicated to aid victims and stop future instances of these crimes
 * among these are chid abuse, spousal abuse, rape and many others
 * Negative
 * a visual aid is something that is much harder to ignore and is often shocking and moving to the viewer
 * In the future
 * Forensic photography continues to advance thanks to the help of digital photography
 * Infrared and ultraviolet light are used for trace evidence photography of fingerprints, tiny blood samples, and many other things