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Chapter 5: Mishap Photography
MINA Handbook
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Mishap Photography
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AFPAM 91-211
“Well-defined photographs help in mishap analysis. Use them to show damage, impact areas, metal fractures, …., vehicle travel, etc. Only include photographs aiding in understanding the mishap and reference them in the analysis at Tab T. Use of scanned or color copies for reproduction in the formal report is preferred over pasting of actual photographs. Do not include photographs of deceased personnel in the safety report. Place an index of photographs at Tab S to aid reviewers. Staged photographs are placed at Tab T near the related narrative…Pointing a finger or other device at a portion of wreckage does not make the photograph staged…”
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Tools of the Trade
• Single use
• Point and shoot
• Single lens reflex
• Field/technical camera
• Video camcorder
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Tools of the Trade
LENSES USEFUL TO INVESTIGATORS
Wide angle
Normal
Telephoto
Zoom
Macro
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Tools of the Trade
Flash
FiltersUVa and UVb
Skylight
Polarizer
Exposure Meters
Camera Supports
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Tools of the Trade
Cable Release
Exposure Meter
Gray Cord
Color Scale
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Digital camera that includes:
Zoom lens
Macro capability
2-4 mega pixel format
Flash
+
Small ruler
Notebook
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2-35mm single lens reflex cameras
OR
2 Full featured digital cameras with 8+ mega pixel capacity
Zooms lenses covering 28-135mm focal lengths
Macro lens
Powerful external flash
Exposure/flash meter
Tripod, cable release
Polarizing and UV filters
Gray cord, color scale
Film
Extra batteries
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Priorities for Photography
• Perishable Evidence
• Scene Overview
• Wreckage Overview
• Significant Findings/Events
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Photographer and Equipment
• Trained Photographer
– Could be the investigator or a professional photographer
• Investigation Team Members
– Assist in determining what to photograph - may end up taking their investigative photographs
• Camera Types
– Film versus digital photography
• Who controls the photography at a mishap scene?
• Who controls the photographs after they are taken?
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Steps in Photography• For reporting purposes, identify EVERY photograph within
the photograph– 3x5” card and black marker– To prevent future legal issues, take a picture before placing
the identifying marker in the scene• Start with a wide general view and then move to medium and
close-up if desired• Use flash to fill in shadows if necessary
– Alternatively, use shadows to emphasize scratches and markers
• Take pictures from specific positions and perspectives and identify those positions on sketches and diagrams
• Have plenty of film or digital medium
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Using the Camera
FIVE CONSIDERATIONS
Composition
Subject lighting
Focus
Lens opening
Shutter speed
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Composition
• How you arrange the subject in the photograph
– Move in close -- make the subject fill the frame
– Remove extraneous details and distractions
– Consider a contrasting background if the existing background is not essential to the meaning of the photograph
– Take you photograph from several different angles
– Digital camera? Check to see if you got what you wanted
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Subject Lighting
• Best light is soft and even
– Shade works well
– Helps control specular reflections on metal surfaces
• Use flash to control contract between highlights and shadows
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Focus
• Select the most important part of the subject
• Focus on that part
• Frame the photo
• Check your depth of field
• Set lens opening and shutter speed
• Take your picture
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• Both control exposure
• Lens opening controls intensity of light on film
• Shutter speed controls duration of light on film
• High shutter speed to reduce movement or camera shake
• Small lens opening to increase depth of field
• Reciprocal relationship
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Wide View
Medium View
Close Up
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Vehicle Mishap Photography
• Best -- Photograph all four corners. Then photograph areas of interest
• Acceptable - Two oblique shots from opposite corners. This method does not show extent & direction of collapse.
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Fire Photography
• Use color film
• Take pictures of flames, if possible
• Photograph smoke
• Take pictures of spectators
• Shoot charred and burned areas, smoke patterns
• Take exterior and interior shots. All 4 walls and both sides of doors
• Key ignition sources or fire protection devices
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FIRE INCIDENT
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What to Put in the Report?
• Illustrate your findings, not entertain the reviewer or reader
• Relate directly to description or analysis contained in the report
• Large enough to be reproduced with necessary detail
• Clear enough for the reviewer, reader
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