Fire Investigation Photography Course Syllabus (16 Hours)

Course Target Audience Firefighters, fire/arson investigators, death investigators, crime scene investigators, police officers and detectives with beginner to intermediate skills in photography.

Course Objectives Increase understanding of optics, light and camera functions.

Increase understanding of how to manipulate a camera to take proper investigative photos.

Increase experience composing forensic photographs.

Properly compose and capture crime scene, subject, evidence, collision & search warrant photos.

Required Equipment Any camera equipment normally carried for investigations. Tripod Flashlight

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Course Schedule

Day one. (8 hours) Module 1 – Optics & Camera Basics • Sources of light • How cameras capture light. • Camera capabilities & limitations • Parts of the camera • Settings, buttons & adjustments • Camera terms • Camera modes • Proper focus • Desired exposure

Practical Exercise 1 - Making camera adjustments

Module 2 - Introduction to the Exposure Triangle • Shutter speed, aperture & ISO • Effects of shutter speed, aperture & ISO • Adjusting shutter speed, aperture & ISO • Evaluating exposure.

Practical Exercise 2 – Adjusting shutter speed, aperture & ISO for desired photos.

Module 3 – Principles of Forensic Photography • Proper documentation • Use of scale • Proper perspectives • Use in criminal investigations • Court considerations

Practical Exercise 3 – Scales and perspective Practical Exercise 4 – Over all, mid-range and close up photos

Day one written quiz*

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Day two. (8 hours) Module 4 – Fire scene photography • Photographing an active fire • Documenting resources/apparatus/bystanders • Post fire photographs • Exterior and interior photos • Using flash at fire scenes • Using long exposure at fire scenes

Practical Exercise 4 – Active fire photos (when possible) Practical Exercise 5 – Staged fire scene photos

Module 5 – Vehicle fire photography • “8-ways” photos • VIN photos • Lighting the vehicle

Practice Exercise 6 – Staged vehicle fire photos

Module 6 – Evidence photography • Mid-range photos of evidence • Close up photos of evidence • Using scale • Photographing scene measurements • Photographing burned bodies

Practical Exercise 7 – Arson evidence photo

Final cumulative test*

Certificate ceremony

*Quizzes and tests are used for student self-assessment only. Grades are not recorded by instructor.

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