100 word response 1 reference/intext citation Due 2/15/2024
I think that photography should still be used in criminal justice for clarification aspect. I believe photography should be required when examiners make identifications and the photographs should be allowed as evidence in court. Forensic evidence like fingerprint analysis and DNA matching plays an increasingly vital role in criminal investigations and trials. However, not all identification analysis relies on such empirical methods as sometimes examiners make judgment calls that cannot be scientifically verified. Requiring photographs creates an objective record that can increase transparency and accountability. The use of photography would create an effective outcome for the crime investigation being done by the officers.
A 2022 study found that requiring photography improved the quality of forensic examiners’ crime scene documentation without being overly burdensome (Zahari et al., 2022). The photograph complements the forensic investigation, providing a clear picture of what happens. With analysis that relies heavily on an examiner’s subjective assessment, having photographic documentation makes it easier for others to evaluate their interpretation and conclusions.
Allowing these photographs as evidence provides additional scrutiny. Being able to independently confirm the results reported by forensic laboratories is a central tenet of science (Airlie et al., 2021). Photographic evidence gives attorneys, judges, and, if applicable, jury members the ability to visually assess claims made by examiners instead of simply relying on their testimony. Therefore, requiring photography creates more accountability for forensic examiners while also giving the legal system tools to evaluate better the evidence they provide. Given its importance, photograph documentation should be obligatory and permissible in court. On the other hand, critics express concerns about privacy and the potential misuse of personal information. Requiring photographs could infringe on the privacy rights of forensic examiners, and there is a risk that the collected images could be used for unauthorized purposes. Balancing the benefits of increased transparency with protecting individual privacy rights is a delicate task.
