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    23 - Forensic Digital Photography PDF

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    This document reviews the use of forensic digital photography. It begins by defining forensic odontology and explaining how photography is important for collecting and preserving evidence, especially in cases involving identification, abuse, and bite marks. It then discusses how digital photography works, the types of digital images and cameras used. Key aspects of the digital photographic process are outlined, including image capture, file formats, and computer storage and editing. New techniques like 3D photogrammetry are also mentioned. In summary, the document outlines the basics of digital photography and its advantages for forensic applications over traditional film, particularly as it allows for easier storage, duplication and sharing of photographic evidence.

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    23 - Forensic Digital Photography PDF

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    drzana78
    197 views4 pages
    This document reviews the use of forensic digital photography. It begins by defining forensic odontology and explaining how photography is important for collecting and preserving evidence, especially in cases involving identification, abuse, and bite marks. It then discusses how digital photography works, the types of digital images and cameras used. Key aspects of the digital photographic process are outlined, including image capture, file formats, and computer storage and editing. New techniques like 3D photogrammetry are also mentioned. In summary, the document outlines the basics of digital photography and its advantages for forensic applications over traditional film, particularly as it allows for easier storage, duplication and sharing of photographic evidence.

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    This document reviews the use of forensic digital photography. It begins by defining forensic odontology and explaining how photography is important for collecting and preserving evidence, especially in cases involving identification, abuse, and bite marks. It then discusses how digital photography works, the types of digital images and cameras used. Key aspects of the digital photographic process are outlined, including image capture, file formats, and computer storage and editing. New techniques like 3D photogrammetry are also mentioned. In summary, the document outlines the basics of digital photography and its advantages for forensic applications over traditional film, particularly as it allows for easier storage, duplication and sharing of photographic evidence.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Download as pdf or txt
    197 views4 pages

    23 - Forensic Digital Photography PDF

    Uploaded by

    drzana78
    This document reviews the use of forensic digital photography. It begins by defining forensic odontology and explaining how photography is important for collecting and preserving evidence, especially in cases involving identification, abuse, and bite marks. It then discusses how digital photography works, the types of digital images and cameras used. Key aspects of the digital photographic process are outlined, including image capture, file formats, and computer storage and editing. New techniques like 3D photogrammetry are also mentioned. In summary, the document outlines the basics of digital photography and its advantages for forensic applications over traditional film, particularly as it allows for easier storage, duplication and sharing of photographic evidence.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    of 4

    Balaji N et al: Forensic Digital Photography

    REVIEW ARTICLE

    Forensic Digital Photography: A Review


    N Balaji1, Sushmita Senapati2, Sumathi MK3
    1- Head of the Department, Department of Oral Pathology, Teerthanker
    Mahaveer dental college & research centre, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India.
    2- Post graduate student, Department of Oral Pathology, Teerthanker
    Mahaveer dental college & research centre, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India.
    3- Reader, Department of Oral Pathology, Teerthanker Mahaveer dental
    college & research centre, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India.

    Correspondence to:
    Dr. Sushmita Senapati,
    Department of Oral Pathology, Teerthanker Mahaveer dental
    college & research centre, Bagarpur, Moradabad- 244001, Uttar
    Pradesh, India. Contact No. 9045407836
    Email: [email protected]
    Contact Us : [email protected]
    Submit Manuscript : [email protected]
    www.ijdmr.com

    ABSTRACT
    Forensic digital photography is an essential technique used in forensic odontology which aids in the investigation,
    record purposes, crime and medico legal issues. The technological developments in modern dental photography have
    continued to facilitate and enhance the practice of forensic dentistry. This evolution to a contemporary photographic
    process is revolutionizing the way, the forensic odontologist deal with the cases involving identification, human abuse
    and perhaps most significantly, the bite mark cases. Evidence collection and preservation using forensic digital
    photography is a crucial aspect in future legal proceeding. This article summarizes the role of forensic digital
    photography in forensic odontology.
    . . . .
    .
    .
    KEYWORDS:Digital,Forensic,Odontology,Photography

    INTRODUCTION
    Keiser-Neilson in 1970 defined Forensic
    Odontology as "that branch of forensic
    medicine which in the interest of justice deals
    with the proper handling and examination of
    dental evidence and with the proper evaluation
    and presentation of the dental findings".1
    Photography is probably, the best method to
    collect and preserve evidence in forensic cases,
    especially in the cases of dental identification,
    human abuse and bitemark cases.2 Forensic
    photography is essential for fair trial. Accurate
    reproduction of a scene (including a crime
    scene, fire scene or accident scene) using
    photography is critical for the benefit of a court
    or to aid in an investigation.3 Though in its
    infancy in dentistry, digital photography, digital
    imaging and its management is exploding at an
    extraordinary rate.4

    DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
    Digital cameras currently provide an easy and
    quick method of recording images and various
    types of cameras are been employed to do so.5
    The need to accurately photograph injury
    patterns as they appear on skin is paramount to
    the pathologists as well as legal experts. Since
    vast amounts of time often elapse between the
    commission of crimes and the trial of the
    accused, photographs are the only permanent
    record of the injuries to the victims. Therefore,
    it is imperative that the forensic investigator be
    able to properly photograph injury patterns as a
    means of preserving such evidence.6 Digital
    photography means that the images are stored in
    a computerized file format often referred to as a
    digital image file. A digital image file signifies
    any computer file format that contains a

    How to cite this article:


    Balaji N, Senapati S, Sumathi MK. Forensic Digital Photography: A Review. Int J Dent Med Res 2014;1(3):132-135.

    Int J Dent Med Res | SEPT - OCT 2014 | VOL 1 | ISSUE 3

    132

    Balaji N et al: Forensic Digital Photography

    graphical image instead of text or program


    data.4,6
    TYPES OF DIGITAL IMAGES
    There are basically two types of digital
    imagesa bitmapped image and a vector based
    image. A 'bitmapped' image consists of
    information for placement of each and every
    pixel. JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF and BMP are
    probably the most common type bitmapped
    digital image. The other type of digital image is
    called a vector-based image. This kind of image
    is produced in paint or draw and illustration
    programs. Such programs are not normally used
    in capturing photographic images but are used
    in manipulating or enhancing images.4,6
    NEW AGE DIGITAL CAMERAS
    The new generation of digital cameras has
    everything from the simplest point-and-shoot
    consumer camera to the most complex
    professional camera, and a combination of
    several pro-sumer cameras in between.
    Digital image capture is unlike film in that a
    specialized computer chip in the camera reads
    the light coming through the lens and
    electronically saves the image on magnetic
    media, eliminating the need for film. Typical
    image capture devices used today include the
    charge
    coupled
    device
    (CCD)
    and
    complementary metal-oxide semiconductor
    (CMOS). CCD sensors are arranged with
    geometric green, red, and blue areas known as
    pixels that are sensitive to their corresponding
    colors of light.6 In digital imaging, the number
    of pixels used to record the image corresponds
    with the resolution.7 The more pixels there are,
    the sharper is the image.6,7
    The forensic photographer must develop a
    Standard Technique such that a systematic and
    organized approach to full spectrum digital
    photography is utilized each and every time a
    photographic session occurs. Additionally, this
    Int J Dent Med Res | SEPT - OCT 2014 | VOL 1 | ISSUE 3

    REVIEW ARTICLE

    protocol should include taking close up


    photographs with and without a scale. The scale
    serves as a reference to record the relative size
    of the injuries in the photographs. The evolution
    of scales for forensic photography resulted in
    the development of a two-legged (right-angled)
    scale, known as the ABFO 2 scale, which is
    used by modern crime scene photographers.
    This
    scale
    was
    developed
    by
    a
    photogrammetrist (Mr. William Hyzer) and a
    forensic dentist (Dr. Thomas Krauss) for the
    purpose of minimizing photographic distortion
    and ensuring accuracy in measurement. The
    photographer should retain the scale used in the
    photograph.8
    DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHIC SYSTEM
    A camera is only a part of a photographic
    system. With digital photographic systems, the
    camera and flash perform the same function,
    but place the image on the digital sensor instead
    of film when capturing the light image. The
    digital camera, however, also has software
    (sometimes referred to as firmware) that
    converts the image to a digital format. The
    picture or digital image is digitized by the
    sensor within the camera and is converted into a
    computerized image file. At this point, the
    digital images can be transferred (downloaded)
    into a computer where they can be displayed,
    edited, manipulated, e-mailed, printed or
    incorporated into any document almost
    instantly.4,8
    An upcoming newer approach, Forensic 3dimensional photogrammetry is used for the
    evaluation of a forensically relevant object,
    such as a bitemark or other patterned injuries
    and it depends primarily on the proficiency in
    the preparation and subsequent photographic
    recording of these objects.9 The Forensic 3dimensional photogrammetry replaces the old
    standard documentation method of laying a
    ruler or yardstick next to the object being
    133

    Balaji N et al: Forensic Digital Photography

    photographed. In order to photo-grammetrically


    compare and evaluate injuries, special series
    photographs are taken and computer evaluation
    is done. This method can also be employed for
    the evaluation of small injuries such as
    matching tyre tracks on the head.10
    Digital photographic capture process consists of
    the following path: Subject, Lens, Sensor,
    image digitized to file and then transferred to a
    computer. After the image file has been placed
    onto a computers hard drive, it can be retrieved
    and viewed almost instantly at the viewers
    discretion.4,10 The camera body is the least
    critical element in obtaining a good dental
    image. Very expensive camera and lenses are
    not necessary but its flash system, lenses, film,
    exposure and proper processing are considered
    to be crucial.11
    RECORDING / CAPTURING THROUGH
    DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
    Presently, digital dental photography is
    captured through many ways like with that of a
    traditional film camera and then the image can
    be digitized into a computer file using a scanner
    or by using an intraoral camera connected to a
    video capture card, USB or an IEEE 1394 Port
    (firewire). A standard video (VCR) camera or
    camcorder can also be used and digitized by
    being processed by a video capture card or
    imported through an IEEE1394 port or by using
    a web style camera that normally connects to
    the computer. The image can also be captured
    with a still photographic style digital camera
    and then subsequently, the computerized files
    can be downloaded from the camera to a
    computer with various mechanisms. Lastly, the
    images can also be transferred from one
    computer to another through file transferring.4,11
    In addition to the digital photography, various
    softwares have been devised to aid in the image
    enhancement, like Adobe Photoshop, Picasa,
    Int J Dent Med Res | SEPT - OCT 2014 | VOL 1 | ISSUE 3

    REVIEW ARTICLE

    CSI Pix, iClone and Lucis Pro 6.0. The uses of


    computer softwares have presented new
    concerns regarding their application in both
    forensic odontology and general dentistry. They
    enable clear visualization of the images and are
    less time consuming. The 3-D images can be
    freely moved, rotated or zoomed to any specific
    region of interest. They are basically used to
    store, sort and match antemortem and
    postmortem records in a speedy and accurate
    manner. Hence the use of these softwares has
    made the work of the forensic experts much
    easier and faster.

    DISCUSSION
    Digital photography converts the images almost
    immediately into a digital file, and has many
    beneficial advantages in forensic odontology.
    Photographic
    documentation
    of
    dental
    identification cases can be easily stored and
    catalogued.1 Digital photography allows for
    immediate retakes when needed. Exact
    duplicates of the images can be made and media
    can be reused leaving behind the additional cost
    of film or its chemical processing. There is ease
    of manipulation in the forensic data or
    images.4,11 With the advance in information
    technologies, there has been an increase in
    number and types of crime. Forensic science
    practitioners have to keep up with this advance
    closely. Every researcher has his/her hands
    upon an image or photograph for the purpose of
    forensic identification.12
    Forensic identification is a multidisciplinary
    team effort that typically involves the
    coordination and cooperation of law
    enforcement officials, forensic pathologists,
    forensic odontologists, forensic anthropologists,
    criminalists and other specialists as deemed
    necessary.13
    The
    CAD
    supported
    photogrammetry plays an important role in the
    cases of soft tissue injury.14
    134

    Balaji N et al: Forensic Digital Photography

    Forensic digital photography is a vital and


    integral part of forensic science that is most
    widely utilized for the identification of the
    living and deceased persons. It has also evolved
    as a new ray of hope in assisting forensic
    odontology and forensic medicine as well.15

    6.
    7.
    8.
    9.

    CONCLUSION
    10.

    Digital photography offers significant benefits


    to both the fields of dental practices as well as
    Forensic medicine. When evidence based
    dentistry is gaining roots worldwide, digital
    photography plays an important role in
    providing the evidence.16 The inherent
    efficiencies of digital photography make it
    extremely beneficial, however, the practitioner
    needs a basic understanding of computer
    technology and standard photography for proper
    utilization. Proper selection and implementation
    of the appropriate photography and computer
    equipment combined with necessary training
    and correct workflow patterns, makes
    incorporating digital photography into the field
    of forensics, an easily obtainable goal.4,16

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    Kima HJ, Lima S, Moona J, Kimb B, Eui S.
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    Int J Dent Med Res | SEPT - OCT 2014 | VOL 1 | ISSUE 3

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    REVIEW ARTICLE

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    Source of Support: Nil


    Conflict of Interest: Nil

    135

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