What should photographers avoid in crime scene photography?

Photographers should avoid distorting items or moving evidence before documentation because the integrity of the crime scene is paramount for investigation and legal proceedings. When evidence is moved or altered, it can lead to contamination or misrepresentation of critical details, which could affect the understanding of the scene and the subsequent analysis.

In crime scene photography, accurate and unaltered representation of the evidence is crucial as it forms part of the official record. This helps to maintain a chain of custody and ensures that any images presented in court are reliable and can corroborate witness statements and findings during investigations. Maintaining the original state of the evidence allows for a holistic understanding of the scene, which is essential for forensic analysis and legal considerations.

Other options, while they may present challenges or considerations for photographers, do not fundamentally compromise the evidence's integrity in the same way that moving or distorting items does. For instance, using a flash in dark conditions may sometimes be necessary for clarity, and getting closer to evidence can be acceptable if it’s done carefully while still capturing context. Poor lighting can impact photo quality, but is less severe than the direct alteration of physical evidence.