The increase in the use of photographs on individual identification credentials such as driving licences, credit cards, security passes and passports has led, for the purpose of criminal activities, to the falsification of genuine documents bearing photographs of the perpetrating criminal. These photographs may be used as valuable physical evidence when compared with known photographs of a suspect as they form somewhat of a signature of the suspect that is left behind on the evidence. The comparison of ID photographs requires the cooperation of two predominantly visual disciplines; forensic photography and morphological anatomy. This paper describes a photographic technique which allows accurate anatomical measurement and tracing of facial features, which allows direct physical comparison of ID document images.

Photographic and optical enhancement of physical evidence is an important criminalistics function. It provides nondestructive methods of improving the visualization of evidence to allow further forensic examination. The key concepts and techniques involving optical, photographic, and digital imaging techniques are examined in this section. Critical foundation aspects found in quality forensic photography such as maintaining the dimensional integrity of evidence and the representation of scale are described to ensure forensic photography principles. Attributes required for optical enhancement including the relationship between the spectral distribution of the light source, the spectral properties of the specimen, and spectral sensitivity of the recording media are unpacked and provide a theoretical basis. Optic enhancement techniques such as absorption, reflection, transmission, and photoluminescence modes are discussed with samples illustrating those optical effects. Digital imaging enhancement techniques to increase the contrast and the modification of color using Adobe Photoshop™ are explained.

This article offers a critical overview of expert identification evidence based on images. It reviews the Australian case law and then, in an interdisciplinary manner, endeavours to explain methodological, technical and theoretical problems with facial mapping evidence. It suggests that extant admissibility jurisprudence and traditional safeguards associated with expert opinion evidence and the adversarial trial might not adequately protect those accused of committing criminal acts when they are confronted with incriminating expert identification evidence.

The application of photography in crime scene investigation has been widely practiced by law enforcement agencies throughout the world since the development of photography itself some 150 years ago. A common misperception however, is that photography is simply a method of recording the scene and evidence. Imagine if the medical profession only used imaging and photographic techniques to record and classify patient’s injuries and disease. How would doctors determine and set broken bones without the aid of X-rays, or diagnose pneumonia? Like the medical industry, the crime scene examiner and forensic practitioner can utilise special imaging and photographic techniques to enhance the depth of investigation and therefore increase the information recovered.

Research into fingermark enhancement techniques has traditionally used visual comparisons and qualitative methods to assess their effectiveness based on the quality of the developed fingermark. However, with increasing research into the optimisation of these techniques the need for a quantitative evaluative method has arisen. Parameters for acceptable fingerprint quality are not well defined and generally encompass clear, sharp edges and high levels of contrast between the fingermark ridges and background material. Using these current parameters, a conclusive measurement of fingerprint quality and thus the effectiveness of development techniques cannot be achieved. This study presents a model through which an aspect of fingerprint quality can be objectively and impartially measured based on a relative contrast index, constructed through measuring the reflective intensity of the fingermark ridges against the background material. Using a fibre-optic spectrophotometer attached to a microscope with axial illumination, the intensity counts of the ridge detail and background material were measured and a logarithmic contrast index constructed. The microscope and spectrophotometer parameters were experimentally tested using a standard colour resolution chart with known reflective properties. The protocol was successfully applied to four sample groups: black inked fingerprints on white paper; latent fingermarks on white paper developed separately with ninhydrin and physical developer; and fingermarks in blood deposited on white tiles and enhanced with amido black. The contrast indices obtained quantitatively reflect the level of contrast and provide an indication of fingerprint quality through a numerical representation rather than previous qualitative methods. It has been suggested that the proposed method of fingerprint quantification may be viable for application in the forensic research arena as it allows the definitive measurement of contrast to aid the evaluation of fingermark detection and enhancement techniques.

The introduction of closed-circuit television (CCTV) into the public landscape has provided a new level of surveillance within contemporary society. Never before have vast numbers of individuals been under this level of surveillance and scrutiny. The density of surveillance cameras has increased exponentially in recent years, and other technologies such as cameras in mobile phones provide an itinerant source of surveillance. This new social phenomenon has raised ethical issues regarding privacy and several social debates have arisen. Some issues include the effectiveness of the technology to increase security over privacy, whether the security results in better or real protection of citizens, and whether the technology can be used as an effective crime deterrent tool.

Contemporary Western culture increasingly uses visual images as a method of communicating ideas, meaning and concepts. The reliance on visual information has dramatically increased with the evolution of newer imaging technologies. Images play a critical role within the media, advertising, popular culture, personal memories, medical science and forensic science. This paper will discuss relationships between methodologies used in visual culture disciplines and its application of photographic evidence in forensic science.

The identification of tattoos often provides important forensic information when investigating criminal activity. Tattoos may be used by police intelligence as a source of identification of known criminals. Tattoos may be effaced by laser surgery so that they can no longer been seen by visual inspection of the skin. However, remnants of pigment persist within the dermis. This paper describes a novel technique using infrared photography that can demonstrate the presence of tattoos that have been ablated by lasers. The method provides adequate detail of the tattoo's characteristics to aid in forensic identification. A literature search did not reveal any known methods of detecting latent residue inks after removal or detecting alteration of a pre-existing tattoo.