Digital photography requires an understanding of the fundamentals of photography and its subsequent application as a means of producing credible forensic evidence. Based upon requests of former students, NUCPS’s investigative photography courses have been revised and combined into the Investigative Photography workshop. Investigative Photography maintains many of the foundational principles of photography from past workshops while delving into digital applications in the forensic field – all in a comprehensive, hands-on course.

Students are instructed in the digital format, camera operation, file types and archiving, lighting techniques, controlling and printing digital images, testimony and more. Students learn and demonstrate forensic and photographic fundamentals through numerous projects including individual and team exercises. Completion of Investigtive Photography workshop provides the student with an excellent working knowledge of the digital evidence process.

Investigative Photography is applicable towards certifications in other disciplines being offered by the Northwestern University, Center for Public Safety.

Course Content         

• The Digital Camera
• Camera operation and accessories
• File formats
• Exposure techniques
• White balance
• Understanding resolution, noise and dynamic range
• Lighting and digital flash techniques
• The electromagnetic spectrum and color temperatures
• Night and low-light forensic applications
• Fluorescence documentation
• Investigative documentation
• Digital enhancement, color correction and printing
• Displaying digital images and their use at trial
• Student digital projects       

Course Materials
All students need to bring a laptop computer or other device with internet accessibility and USB port(s) and Adobe Reader Installed..  Please contact the Center for Public Safety if you are unable to bring a device with you. 

Who Should Attend
Investigative Photography in the Digital World is designed for criminal investigators, crime scene investigators, those involved in vehicle crash investigation and reconstruction, patrol supervisors, police photographers, insurance investigators and others interested in enhancing their photographic abilities.

Scheduled Workshop May 11 - 15, 2020

https://registration.nucps.northwestern.edu/courseDisplay.cfm?schID=1297