
Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy
A Nationally Accredited Law Enforcement Training Academy
Job Announcement:
Basic Training Specialist. Click here for more details.

Crime Scene Photography
Course length
40 Hours
About the course
The course is designed for individuals assigned to photograph and document physical evidence and crime
scenes. Participants will develop a basic understanding of camera equipment and photographic techniques as they relate to documenting a crime scene.
NOTE - Wednesday and Thursday classes are evening hours, 1300-2100 hours. If you have babysitting issues
you should plan for that.
Students are required to bring the following agency equipment with them to class:
• 1 SLR Camera (digital only) with 35-80 mm zoom lens or Better {NO POINT AND SHOOTS ALLOWED)
• A telephoto lens, like a 70-210 or 70-300 mm zoom are optional, but do not replace the required 35-80
lens
• Close up Rings or Macro Lens is needed if you have one of them
• Extra camera batteries and charger
• UV (haze) or 1A (skylight) & Polarizing filter for each lens. A polarizing filter that fits the prime lens is also
required.
• Electronic Flash with at least a 120 guide number that works with your camera
• 3 foot PC cord for flash to use in it off the camera
• Tripod and Tripod head
• Locking shutter release cable or electronic shutter release remote. If none is available, the camera must
have a delayed 10-second shutter release feature
• 2 Digital media cards of 1G or better if using digital camera
• 8 AA batteries or replacement batteries for you electronic flash
• 6 inch gray scale at the least
Special Note: This is a Digital Camera Course, no film cameras will be used.
The course includes practical learning activities which attempt to duplicate real life conditions and circumstances and time constraints that preclude the sharing of equipment between students. Each attending student must bring their own equipment.
Some of the training objectives require evening/night conditions. To be able to create the required conditions Wednesday and Thursday have been selected for night training; the classroom hours will be 1300-2100. This may create childcare or other domestic issues that need to be addressed prior to attending this class.