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Image Categories in Forensic Science

23-P-001-1.0

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Table of Contents

1. Purpose and Scope

This document defines the two categories of images in forensic science related photography. It does not address other aspects of image capture such as resolution, ISO, depth of field, lens selection, and distortion. For specific guidance on the capture of images, see other published SWGDE Photography documents (i.e., https://www.swgde.org/documents/published-by-committee/photography/).

2. Image Categories

The Scientific Working Group on Digital Evidence (SWGDE) recognizes two categories of images in forensic science.

2.1 Documentation Images

Documentation Images (previously defined as Category 1 images by SWGIT [1]Scientific Working Group on Imaging Technology, Section 11: Best Practices for Documenting Image Enhancement. SWGIT 2010. https://theiai.org/docs/SWGIT_Guidelines.pdf.) are used to document the appearance, condition, or location of evidence, but are not intended for scientific analysis. These may include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Crime scene or investigative images
  • Documentation of items of evidence
  • Surveillance images
  • Aerial or drone images
  • Autopsy images
  • Identification photographs such as an arrest photograph or mugshots

Documentation images are typically used for demonstrative purposes and may be captured using a file format with minimal compression (i.e. jpeg).

2.2 Examination Quality Images

Examination Quality Images (previously defined as Category 2 images by SWGIT [1]Scientific Working Group on Imaging Technology, Section 11: Best Practices for Documenting Image Enhancement. SWGIT 2010. https://theiai.org/docs/SWGIT_Guidelines.pdf.) are images that are intended to be used for scientific analysis and/or comparison by subject matter experts. These may include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Friction ridge evidence
  • Questioned documents
  • Impression evidence
  • Bloodstain Pattern evidence
  • Toolmarks

Examination quality images should be captured using a file format with lossless or no compression (i.e. RAW or TIFF) and the highest resolution available on the recording device.

3. References

[1] Scientific Working Group on Imaging Technology, Section 11: Best Practices for Documenting Image Enhancement. SWGIT 2010. https://theiai.org/docs/SWGIT_Guidelines.pdf

4. History

Revision Issue Date History
1.0 DRAFT
1/10/2023
Original working draft created. Submitted for SWGDE vote to release as a Draft for Public Comment
1.0 DRAFT
3/31/2023
SWGDE voted to approve as Draft for Public Comment. Formatted for release as a Draft for Public Comment
1.0 DRAFT
6/30/2023
No comments received. SWGDE voted to approve as Final Approved Document
1.0
8/1/2025
Document formatted for new template and release as Final Approved Document.

Version: 1.0 (8/1/2025)

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