Investigative Photography. SESHA Northern California Oct. 04, Jonathan Jacobi, CSP UL EHS Sustainability

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1 Investigative Photography SESHA Northern California Oct. 04, 2017 Jonathan Jacobi, CSP UL EHS Sustainability UL and the UL logo are trademarks of UL LLC 2013

2 Benefits of Photography Refresh memories Describe the scene to those who are unfamiliar Discover details not seen when photos were taken Aid to training and education Preserve volatile evidence Demonstrate facts and events Authenticate notes Dispute false allegations

3 Agenda Role of the EHS professional Equipment needs Techniques and considerations Investigative approach Legal considerations 3

4 Role of EHS Professionals Photographer or a liaison to photographers Select equipment Establish an approach

5 Equipment 5

6 Equipment General Needs Camera - Film vs. Digital - SLR vs. Point and Shoot - Important features (Zoom) Batteries and charger Memory cards Cleaning supplies Tripod Gear bag

7 Equipment Investigative Needs Pen and paper Measuring tape ID flags/markers References Color Scale In a pinch, any object of a known size can be a reference

8 Techniques and Considerations 8

9 Safety Considerations Know hazards and follow precautions Hazards change post-incident Remain aware of your surroundings Viewfinder limits what you see Photography might startle others Make your presence known

10 Avoid Blurry Pictures Out of focus = Blurry Hold camera parallel and perpendicular to item Set focus on what s critical Aperture affects focus depth Movement = Blurry Subject or camera moved Be calm and smoothly depress the shutter release button Not bracing, taking rest, or using a tripod when needed Pronounced in low-light, close-up, and telephoto situations

11 Aperture and Focus More in focus = better Images were focused on the same point One image was taken at f/2.8, the other image was taken at f/16 11

12 Shutter Speed and Blur This blurry image taken at 50mm and 1/10 second 12

13 Shutter Speed and Blur This blurry sharp picture image taken at 50mm and 1/60 1/10 second 13

14 Light Light isn t colorless Can impart a color cast Camera systems can be fooled Exposure metering Color balance Lighting with flash

15 Improper Color Balance 6500K correct value 6500K scene improperly balanced with filters for 2000K, 5000K, and 10000K 15

16 Metering Mistakes +1/2EV correct value Exposure values can be fine-tuned These images show -2EV, 0EV, +2EV exposure compensation 16

17 Selective Focus Both images were taken at f/8 Only one was properly focused on the foreground subject 17

18 Light Front lighting Light is shining toward the subject Minimizes shadows, but can result in glare Consider polarizing filters or take photos from alternate angles with less glare Back lighting Light behind the subject; shining toward you Can result in silhouettes and lens flare Shade the lens to counter flare Exposure adjustments and fill flash add details in shadows and prevent silhouettes Side lighting Light shining across the subject Reveals surface texture, but may lose details in shadowed areas

19 Fill Flash Fill flash reveals detail in shadows 19

20 File Formats JPEG files are compressed Shoot at the best quality and largest file size RAW files are like film negatives TIF open source format for archives Memory cards can be damaged

21 Contingency Plans If you get stuck Select auto mode Restore defaults

22 Investigative Approach 22

23 Investigative Approach Work from general to specific (from outside -> in) Photograph fragile areas first Sketch the scene Help others make sense of your work Include name, date, time, subject and scale Show important objects in An overview A midrange shot A close-up

24 Investigative Approach Overview shots Brings out relationships between objects Establishes place Aerial/overhead view a plus Midrange shots An object and its immediate surroundings feet away Close-up shots Show a key detail clearly Shoot from standing eye level with a normal lens to show the normal view 5 feet or closer

25 Typical Shots ENTRANCE Overview Midrange Close-Ups Midrange C/U Midrange C/U

26 Investigative Approach Take photos without references first Include a color reference when color is important Include a scale reference for macro close-up shots Evidence markers make photos referencable in reports Witness/victim reference photos simulate these viewpoints

27 Reference Photos An 18% gray forensic ruler is useful to establish proper exposure and can serve as a color and scale reference 27

28 Investigative Approach Photographing evidence Take pictures prior to evidence recovery Photograph what is under and around evidence or victims Do not reinsert items Avoid a shotgun approach Same token: when in doubt, shoot Photo logs and investigative reports add context for pictures taken

29 Investigative Approach Get the shot Take important pictures more than once Preview your work Procedures establish credibility and consistency Retain untouched originals Keep all pictures, even if you only show some If filters are used, take the same shot without a filter If flash is used, take the same shot without a flash

30 Legal Considerations 30

31 Legal Considerations Photos must be: A fair and reasonably accurate representation Photography and photographer will come under scrutiny Take detailed notes to aid in recall as legal proceedings may occur years later

32 Legal Considerations Standard Operating Procedures Defines photographic approach Improve consistency Reduce missed shots Tell the whole story Aid chain of custody, authenticity, and credibility Reduce allegations of discrimination

33 We covered. Role of the EHS professional Equipment needs Techniques and considerations Investigative approach Legal considerations 33

34 THANK YOU. Jonathan Jacobi, CSP UL EHS Sustainability Nashville, Tennessee UL and the UL logo are trademarks of UL LLC 2013