Which practice is NOT a best practice for crime-scene photography?

• A. Take photos with scale and context.
• B. Take photos from multiple angles.
• C. Document times and locations.
• D. Use flash in the dark.

Answer: (D)

Crime-scene photography aims to capture an accurate, unaltered snapshot of the scene, including how things relate in space and time. Taking photos with scale and context lets investigators judge sizes and spatial relationships, while shooting from multiple angles prevents missing evidence that might be obscured from a single viewpoint. Documenting times and locations creates a verifiable record of when items were observed and where they were found, which is crucial for the investigation and chain of custody.

Using flash in the dark is not a best practice because direct flash can distort lighting, create harsh shadows or glare, wash out details, and potentially alter the appearance of evidence. In dim environments, controlled lighting (often off-camera, diffused, or with long-exposure techniques on a tripod) is preferred to preserve the integrity of the scene while still capturing all necessary details.