Video provides a better representation of a crime scene than sketches or photographs as it gives the viewer a feel for how the scene appeared and allows them to view the scene's layout and evidence relationships similarly to experiencing it in person. An effective crime scene video is produced by slowly and methodically recording establishing shots of the entire scene and then closer views of individual evidence while considering camera positioning, movement speed, lighting, and audio quality. The video serves as an objective documentation of the scene and can be used later to refresh memories or as demonstrative evidence in court.

2. Video
Presents scene differently than either
sketching or photography
Gives better “feel” for scene than
sketching or photography
Is the more intuitive way we “see” things
in this world.

3. Equipment Needed
Personal protective equipment
Video camera
Video kit with battery
Memory card for digital camera
Camera cleaning supplies
Flashlight
Tripod

4. Reasons for Video
 Video should be the first step in archiving a crime scene
 Provides walk-though feel
 Provides important “feel” for the scene.
 Closer to how we view the world, which makes it a natural viewing
medium
 Versus staccato and static nature of photographs
 Detached overview in a sketch.
 Gives and immediate understanding of how evidence relates to the
crime.
 Sketch and photographs reinforce what video presents.

5. Documentary of the Scene
 Role of the forensic videographer
 Same as any forensic archivist;
Capture the scene in as an original state as possible
Not to consider scene as work of art but as a
response to what the scene is saying.
 Scene dictates the process and the resulting
video.
Making a documentary of the scene.
 Scene video informs its viewers about a topic or
an issue, which in this instance is the crime
scene.
 Like any endeavor that is worthwhile and done
correctly, making a crime scene documentary is
difficult and tedious.

6. Why Video?
Isn’t Photography Sufficient?
Objective Reasons
Unbiased documentation It is running narrative of the sequential “walk through” of the crime scene.
As such, it present objective facts , conditions and sequence that can followed
as though walking through the scene personally. Photography does not
provide this “feel.”
Visual proof of the crime Of the fire or other crime (also photography provide this). Video provide the
same information but in a “live” format. Such as seeing the flame moves in a
fire.
Testimony Use the video as demonstrative evidence for the jury which presents the
scene in a better-to-view format that is almost “live.”
Refresh memory Long delays between the crime and courtroom can change or dull scene
details.

7. Forensic Video Essentials
Establishing/Close-up/Zoom
 Establishing video shows the backdrop of the scene.
 After each establishing video, the evidence in the video is shot using
the macro function on camera
 Close-up detail.
 During establishing video, videographer
Uses zoom and macro characteristics of camera lens
o The zoom speed is critical because it allows viewer to observe items in video that
videographer might not consider important.
Shoots the evidence using both
Can also show archivist’s bias about what is important
 Slow zoom is essential because it allows for a more detailed study of the surrounding
area captured by the video.

8. Two General Categories
of Forensic Video
The Scene Video
The Topic Video

9. Camera Speed and Position
Initial Video of Evidence at a Scene
 The secret to competent video:
 is to slow down and obey the speed limit.
 Consider the speed limit to be 8-10
seconds/quarter turn or slower.
 Face an object - bloody knife lying in one corner of
the room. Mission: Show its relationship to a body
lying on the opposite side of the room,
Position yourself so that the camera forms a triangle
midway between the knife and the body.
 Body is most visible object at scene: Capture its
location
 Count off seconds in your head & slowly pan from
body to knife.
The angle is less than 180o
Panning from the body to the knife should take no fewer
than 10-15 seconds

10. The Scene Video
The scene video is a video equivalent of the walk-through taken by the team leader and the first officer. It
is a continuous process, ideally without interruption from beginning to end. Along the way, each area of
the scene is captured on video. As videoing continues, the videographer slowly walks through the scene
capturing as much as possible
Preparing for the Scene Video
As with all documentary filming, research is the key to producing a quality product. From a crime scene
perspective, the essential research means becoming familiar with the scene
Checklist Before Starting
Walk through the scene with team leader to learn scene geometry.
 Map the scene layout and determine video sequence, e.g., where to begin and where to end.
In second walk-through assess video and camera-specific challenges, e.g., lighting, scene obstacles,
weather issues, white balance, ISO settings, etc.
Discuss with team leader what video should include:
 Include entrance/egress points, important potential evidence, indoor/outdoor considerations,
video perspectives, etc.

12. The Topic Video
A Mid-Range Video
A new paradigm for forensic video/documentary
 Scene videoed twice
Done after the Scene Video
Secondarily during the photographic archiving process using digital
capability of SLR cameras (Topic Video) .
Captures individual & specific parts of scene
 Visible evidence & immediate evidentiary relationships
 Records the area individually from perspective of
photographer taking establishing video using the same SLR
camera.
Captures evidential relationships in midrange format

13. Topic Video
The Process
Indoor homicide scene: Use multi-archiving processes as follows.
 Photography
 Establishing photography of area of interest
 Mid-rang photography of a specific area of the scene
 Close-up photography follows as evidence is discovered
 Video
 Scene Video
 Topic Video the area from different establishing perspectives.
Zoom in and out on important items of potential evidence using macro function of video
camera.
Take Midrange photos of these items of potential evidence using photo function of
camera
Take close-up photography of evidence when appropriate.

15. Audio in a video
Don’t Neglect Audio.
 Audio is as important as the picture
 Always use earphones.
Ambient Sound (room noise).
Be aware of wind noise or background music
If your video is heavily dependent on dialogue or you are doing
interviews, use an external mic
 Irrelevant audio in a video is removed or filtered in forensic
laboratory by using different software

16. Pre-Scene Fundamentals
The equipment necessary to properly capture the scene is rapidly
becoming more affordable.
 Digital cameras have HD video capability and
 Camcorders have digital photographic capabilities.
 Before leaving to work a scene, review checklist.
 Batteries fully charged.
 Sufficient memory to record several hours of video either on the HDD and/or flash drives.
Might mean having a portable hard drive and/or additional memory cards available for
downloading
 Lighting equipment, e.g., light stands, etc., are working and that spare bulbs are available.
 Title generator and "shake free" operations are available.
 If title generator not available - save approximately 15 seconds at the beginning of the tape
to add title card with pertinent information to beginning of scene video.
 Alternatively, the title could be generated at scene using a prepared title card.

17. On Scene Fundamentals
 Once the camera begins recording, do not stop until taping is complete. If the camera has a
pause feature, it is OK to use that.
 Normally, videoing is not ideal for viewing detail because videographers tend to pan past objects
too quickly.
 Slow panning is critical and each area should be panned twice in order to prevent unnecessary
rewinding of the video for viewers.
 Begin videoing with a general overview of scene and surrounding area.
 Use wide angle and close-ups to demonstrate layout of evidence and its relationship and
relevance to the scene.
 For indoor scenes, the video shows how various areas, e.g., rooms, are laid out in relation to
each other and how they can be accessed.
 Complements sketches … video shows the real-life obstacles, etc. … sketch does not.
 After videoing complete, leave about 15 seconds of blank video to prevent video from running
into anything previously recorded.
 Transfer the video to high quality and secure master memory storage
 Backup original video and maintain video secure
 The original video is official record of the videoed scene.
 As such it is evidence. And should not be tampered with
Copies of original video are not original evidence and might not be admissible in court.

18. Advantages of Videography
Video can be utilized to illustrate how something works
Video provide information in detail that text and graphics cannot
Location of evidence, victim and witness
Cannot be edited in any way
Show entries and exists
Video can appeal to learning styles of visual learners
Video is useful in reconstruction of a crime scene
Increasingly popular due to affordable cost
Long-shots and close-ups are taken off scene