Instructors: Heidi Nichols, CFPH
Course length: 16 hours

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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
• 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:

1. Basic Photography Review Lecture (3 Hours)
   1. Camera Controls
   2. Mechanics of Exposure
   3. White Balance
   4. Image Quality and Size
   5. Focus Control
   6. Motion Control
2. Properties of Light and Luminescence Lecture (1 Hour)
3. Lunch (1 Hour)
4. Introduction to Alternate Light Sources (1 Hour)
5. Introduction to Clinical Injury Photography (1 Hour)
6. Photography Exercise and Review (2 Hours)

Day 2:

1. ALS and Full-Spectrum Photographic Documentation of Injuries
2. Alternate Light Source Practical Exercise (3 hours)
   1. Using Luminescence and Absorption of Light to Increase Contrast
   2. Observation and Photography of Luminescence using Barrier Filters
      1. General Luminescent Materials, False Positive Reactions?
      2. Body Fluids
         1. Semen
         2. Saliva
         3. Urine
         4. Blood (Absorption)
      3. Osteological Materials
         1. Bones
         2. Teeth
   3. Observation and Photography of Injuries using Barrier Filters
3. Lunch (1 hour)
4. Equipment Breakdown (1 Hour)
5. Photography Review (2 Hours)
6. Course Review, Evaluations, and Presentation of Certificates (1 Hour)

This course has been approved by the Crime Scene Certification Board for 16 hours of training credit.  Please see our IAI Certifications page for more information.

Heidi Nichols, CFPH

Holding a Bachelor of Arts Degree (BA) in Biomedical and Forensic Photography with minors in Biology and Diving Education from Barry University in Miami, Florida in 1999, Heidi Nichols has since been employed with the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner Department as a Forensic Photographer
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She also certified as a Forensic Photographer through the International Association for Identification (IAI).

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