From documenting a homicide scene to recording the detail of a bite mark, photographs can communicate more about crime scenes and the appearance of evidence than the written report. Photography is a valuable tool for recording the crime scene and explaining evidence to others.

The Crime Scene and Evidence Photographer's Guide, 2nd Edition is designed to be a field reference for those responsible for photography at the crime scene. It may be used by law enforcement officers, investigators, and crime scene technicians. It contains instructions for photographing a variety of crimes scenes and various types of evidence. It is a valuable reference tool when combined with training and experience. The Crime Scene and Evidence Photographer's Guide is also a helpful resource for students and others interested in entering into the field of crime scene investigation.

Over 40,000 copies of the first and second editions of this book have been sold. It is in use in more than 2,500 law enforcement agencies and is a text book for several Colleges and Universities.

The Crime Scene and Evidence Photographer's Guide, 2nd Edition is a practical and concise field handbook for crime scene and evidence photography. Designed to be carried in an evidence kit or camera bag, this 83 page, 5 ½" by 8 ½" publication contains step-by-step instructions for photographing crime scenes and evidence. It includes 67 example photographs, and 14 diagrams and tables. Sections in the guide include:

Technical photography techniques
Flash illumination Flash fill
Painting with light
Available light photography

Steps in Photographing the Crime Scene
Walk Through
The three step approach
Overview photographs
Mid-range photographs
Close-up photographs
Using video to record crime scenes
Records of photographs

Homicide
Suicide
Dead Body Cases
Autopsy photography
Gunshot wounds
Domestic violence, assaults and injuries
Property crimes
Arson and fire scenes
Traffic collisions

General principles
Close-up photography
Lighting methods for close up photography
Impression photography
Fingerprint photography
Bloodstain photography
Laser and ALS photography
Bullet path photography
Injury photography
Tool marks and serial numbers

Crime scene photography kit
Other recommended equipment

Steven Staggs retired from 32 years in law enforcement and has extensive experience in crime scene photography and identification. He has testified in superior court concerning his crime scene, evidence, and autopsy photography and has handled high profile cases including a nationally publicized serial homicide case.

For the past 30 years Steve has been a forensic photography instructor and has trained more than 5,000 crime scene technicians and investigators for police and sheriffs departments, district attorneys offices, and federal agencies. He is also a guest speaker for investigators' associations and provides consulting to law enforcement agencies.

Steve was prompted to write the Crime Scene and Evidence Photographer's Guide in response to requests by crime scene investigators and forensic photographers who desired a practical and concise field handbook for crime scene and evidence photography.