Crime Scene Photography
Forensic Photography Careers

Crime scene photography also know as forensic photography has been made popular by television shows like CSI. This job requires attention to detail and a thorough knowledge of photography.

Working in crime scene photography requires not only an interest in photography, but also an interest in criminology and science. There are few forensic photography courses offered in schools, but most jobs don't require any specific degree. They just require experience and know-how.

The skills required for this job are:

• advanced photography knowledge
• attention for detail
• good physical and mental health

Photographers who take pictures of crimes scenes are photographing their images to be used in court in the future. This requires you to pay close attention to detail. You must take pictures of the entire scene getting even the smallest details in the photos. This means you must take pictures at different angles to make sure you get every possible detail of any object in the photograph.

You can't control where a crime scene might be. You will have to have a thorough knowledge of photography that will allow you to take high quality pictures in any situation. You must be able to quickly assess a scene and decide what settings to use on your camera and how to light the area to get the most detailed picture. This type of photography requires you to take a lot of macro photographs. You have to photograph things like:

• corpses
• body parts
• blood stains
• weapons
• accident scenes
• injuries
• fingerprints

These scenes are quite often grizzly and depressing. You need to be mentally strong to deal with exposure to these things on a daily basis. You also have to be physically strong because you'll be required to get to some hard to reach places and bend down and stoop to get different angles of objects. You also may be required to spend time in extremely hot or cold locations and endure unpleasant smells.

As you take the pictures, you'll have to make sure that everything on the scene remains undisturbed. You must keep all evidence intact for future investigation.

You'll be required to testify in court sometimes. In order to do this work you must not have a criminal record of any kind in your past. You must also be able to pass a mental and physical check-up.

Different areas have different requirements for crime scene photographers. You need to find out the requirements for your area. Studying criminology will help your chances of finding a job in the field.

In most areas you simply have to work your way up through the ranks. Start out with an entry level job at a crime lab, police station or law firm. Let people know that you're interested in crime scene photography and be on the look out for opportunities in that field. In the mean time you'll be gaining useful experience.

Crime scene photography doesn't pay much. It can start in the low $20,000 range and go up to th low $50,000 range, but if you love your job that makes up for it.