PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION OF INJURIES USING THE ALS
CENTENNIAL, CO | MAY 31 - JUNE 1, 2022
This course has been approved for 16 hours of certification/re-certification training credit in the IAI Crime Scene Certification Board.
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Instructor: Heidi Nichols, CFPH
Location: Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office 13101 E. Broncos Parkway Centennial, CO 80112 Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Tuition: $369.00 This course is presented in partnership with the International Association for Identification. |
Photographic Documentation of Injuries Using the ALS
Investigators are frequently called upon to photograph injuries received by victims of violent crimes including domestic violence. This type of documentation is especially crucial in courtroom proceedings, especially where the victim’s injuries are no longer apparent. By documenting these injuries, the trier(s) of fact in the case will have the opportunity to observe the victim’s injuries and make a more informed judgement of guilt or innocence.
Alternate Light Sources (ALS) are tools that can permit investigators to locate, process, and photograph evidence that is otherwise invisible or that is difficult to see. Understanding how these devices work is helpful in applying them correctly at the crime scene or in the laboratory. This course begins with a discussion of the properties of light and luminescence and culminates in the use of the ALS to visualize and photograph items of evidence. A review of basic photography and the use more advanced photographic techniques to optimize image quality will be included.
The types of evidence on which ALS units are commonly utilized include fingerprint evidence, trace evidence (like hairs and fibers, narcotics, gunshot residue, and body fluids), and bodily injuries. This Photographic Documentation of Injuries Using the ALS course will concentrate on the latter.
Topics include:
This course will heavily emphasize instruction using hands-on techniques. The students will photograph realistic evidence to observe the photographic results of the techniques learned and used in class.
Due to the amount of hands-on training in this course, enrollment is limited to 16 students with a single instructor or 24 students with two instructors. Students are encouraged to bring the digital camera and alternate light source used in their work to the course.
This is an advanced course; students are expected to have an understanding of basic photography and camera operation prior to attendance.
Course Outline
Day 1:
Day 2:
Investigators are frequently called upon to photograph injuries received by victims of violent crimes including domestic violence. This type of documentation is especially crucial in courtroom proceedings, especially where the victim’s injuries are no longer apparent. By documenting these injuries, the trier(s) of fact in the case will have the opportunity to observe the victim’s injuries and make a more informed judgement of guilt or innocence.
Alternate Light Sources (ALS) are tools that can permit investigators to locate, process, and photograph evidence that is otherwise invisible or that is difficult to see. Understanding how these devices work is helpful in applying them correctly at the crime scene or in the laboratory. This course begins with a discussion of the properties of light and luminescence and culminates in the use of the ALS to visualize and photograph items of evidence. A review of basic photography and the use more advanced photographic techniques to optimize image quality will be included.
The types of evidence on which ALS units are commonly utilized include fingerprint evidence, trace evidence (like hairs and fibers, narcotics, gunshot residue, and body fluids), and bodily injuries. This Photographic Documentation of Injuries Using the ALS course will concentrate on the latter.
Topics include:
- Basic Photography Review
- Introduction to Clinical Photography of Injuries
- Mechanics of Luminescence
- Understanding Fluorescence
- Understanding Phosphorescence
- Understanding how Fluorescence and Phosphorescence Differ
- Introduction to the Alternate Light Source
- Understanding How the ALS works
- Selection of Appropriate Light Sources including Cost Factors
- Techniques Used to Obtain the Best Possible Photographic Results
- Photography of Biological Fluids and Other Biological Materials using Luminescence
- Identifying False Positive Reactions
- Photography of Bodily Injuries using Absorption of Light
- Photography of Biological Fluids and Other Biological Materials using Luminescence
- Introduction to Injury Photography using Full-Spectrum Imaging
This course will heavily emphasize instruction using hands-on techniques. The students will photograph realistic evidence to observe the photographic results of the techniques learned and used in class.
Due to the amount of hands-on training in this course, enrollment is limited to 16 students with a single instructor or 24 students with two instructors. Students are encouraged to bring the digital camera and alternate light source used in their work to the course.
This is an advanced course; students are expected to have an understanding of basic photography and camera operation prior to attendance.
Course Outline
Day 1:
- Basic Photography Review Lecture (3 Hours)
- Camera Controls
- Mechanics of Exposure
- White Balance
- Image Quality and Size
- Focus Control
- Motion Control
- Properties of Light and Luminescence Lecture (1 Hour)
- Lunch (1 Hour)
- Introduction to Alternate Light Sources (1 Hour)
- Introduction to Clinical Injury Photography (1 Hour)
- Photography Exercise and Review (2 Hours)
Day 2:
- ALS and Full-Spectrum Photographic Documentation of Injuries
- Alternate Light Source Practical Exercise (3 hours)
- Using Luminescence and Absorption of Light to Increase Contrast
- Observation and Photography of Luminescence using Barrier Filters
- General Luminescent Materials, False Positive Reactions?
- Body Fluids
- Semen
- Saliva
- Urine
- Blood (Absorption)
- Osteological Materials
- Bones
- Teeth
- Observation and Photography of Injuries using Barrier Filters
- Lunch (1 hour)
- Equipment Breakdown (1 Hour)
- Photography Review (2 Hours)
- Course Review, Evaluations, and Presentation of Certificates (1 Hour)
LODGING
Holiday Inn & Suites Denver Tech Center - Centennial
6638 South Nome Street
Centennial, CO 80111
303-708-3000
Room Rate: $99 plus tax | Single/Double occupancy
Amenities: Free Breakfast, Free Wi-Fi, Free Parking (Request breakfast voucher upon check in)
Booking Info: Call the hotel and mention the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office Training to receive this special rate.
Holiday Inn & Suites Denver Tech Center - Centennial
6638 South Nome Street
Centennial, CO 80111
303-708-3000
Room Rate: $99 plus tax | Single/Double occupancy
Amenities: Free Breakfast, Free Wi-Fi, Free Parking (Request breakfast voucher upon check in)
Booking Info: Call the hotel and mention the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office Training to receive this special rate.
REGISTRATION
To register for this course, please download the Course Registration Form (PDF file). Fill out the form and email the completed PDF file to Phil Sanfilippo at phil@tritechusa.com.
To register for this course, please download the Course Registration Form (PDF file). Fill out the form and email the completed PDF file to Phil Sanfilippo at phil@tritechusa.com.