Training Courses

Mastering Crime Scene Photography – Wilmington

Date & Time:
  • January 12, 2027 – January 14, 2027 - 8:30 AM–4:30 PM (Eastern Standard Time)
Location:
1 Adelaide Street, Wilmington, MA
Agency:
Municipal Police Institute

3-Day Hands-on Training for Investigating Officers

Course Details

  • Instructor: Drew Webb
  • Dates: January 12, 2027 - January 14, 2027
  • Location: Wilmington Police Department
  • Time: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
  • Price: $499.00 USD (1 attendee); $474.00 per person (2 attendees); $449.00 per person (3+ attendees)

Overview

This three-day practical course equips investigating officers with contemporary techniques for documenting crime scenes and forensic evidence through photography. Participants develop competency with camera operation, accessories, and lighting strategies across both automatic and manual settings, enabling accurate scene documentation independent of camera automation limitations. The program emphasizes specialized photography of fingerprints, small objects, tool marks, and impression evidence. The curriculum incorporates practical shortcuts using camera automation when beneficial. Hands-on exercises comprise more than half the instructional time, with personalized guidance from experienced instructors who demonstrate techniques via projected examples using their own equipment before participants attempt each task.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This three-day course will introduce investigating officers to the latest methods of crime scene and forensic evidence photography. By the end of the course, participants will gain proficiency in using cameras, associated accessories, and lighting techniques in both manual and automatic modes. This enables them to accurately document scenes without being restricted by automatic camera functions. The course places particular emphasis on fingerprint and small object evidence photography, including tool marks and shoe/tire print impressions.

Participants will also learn efficient shortcuts using camera automation where appropriate, enhancing the ease and efficiency of their photography. Over 50% of class time is dedicated to hands-on camera exercises with personalized instruction from experienced trainers. Exercises are demonstrated via projection using instructors' cameras to ensure participants understand tasks before executing them.

Topics Covered

  • Overview of crime scene and accident photography
  • Camera controls: understanding knobs, buttons, and settings and their functions
  • Close-up and macro photography: capturing fingerprints on various surfaces, tool marks, and ballistic evidence
  • Exposure: mastering proper exposure settings and understanding controlling variables
  • Depth of field: utilizing hyperfocal distance for effective evidence photography
  • Principles of lighting and modification using flash or continuous light sources
  • Introduction to forensic/alternate light source photography for fluorescent fingerprint powders, and detection of body fluids and sub-cutaneous bruising using affordable light sources
  • Photography in low-light conditions: techniques for photographing large and small areas at night using continuous light and electronic flash units
  • Foot and tire impression photography, including techniques for capturing dust prints from hands and feet
  • Simple enhancement and clarification techniques for evidentiary images
  • Courtroom testimony: preparing and presenting photographs effectively in court
  • Brief history of photography and its technological advancements

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Participants are encouraged to bring note-taking materials. Each participant receives a comprehensive manual containing printed presentations, "how-to" photo recipes for major exercises, and a download link for additional materials such as sample SOPs. Also provided is a download link to free, virus-checked software for image enhancement, evidence preparation, and office use. This software suite, equivalent to commercial products costing approximately $1,000.00, is licensed for free use on multiple computers.

Equipment: This is a heavily hands-on course, so you should bring the cameras you will use in your work, any lighting you have like electronic flash, LED, or other lights; a tripod is important (I have a few loaners, but using your own is better). Please make sure you have batteries charged in all cameras and flash, and bring chargers for them as well. Spare batteries are helpful. If you have the instruction manuals for your cameras and equipment, please bring them with you. You will be spending about 50% or more of your time working with your gear to do exercises on each important topic or technique we cover, so being prepared is important.

About the Instructor

Drew Webb has been teaching law enforcement photography since 1973. He was a founding member of Polaroid's Law Enforcement Products Marketing Group, where he collaborated with others to develop specialized photo products such as close-up cameras, portable x-ray systems for bomb work, and laboratory camera systems. Additionally, Drew served as Senior OEM Manager for Polaroid, maintaining corporate contacts and developing products in partnership with major photographic companies worldwide. For 15 years, he held the role of Chief Operating Associate at Forensic Consulting Associates of New England LLC, where he taught digital forensic photography. Drew is widely recognized as a specialist and lecturer in forensic light sources and other advanced photography and biometric technologies.