Ahhhhh...It's Sunday and I've only had to work half the weekend. Am I working because of feeling guilty for leaving soon? No. I'm doing it because I love what I do....well...that, and two of our attorney's have trials this week that may or may not go. One is a misdemeanor and the other a felony but they are both fairly involved with a shitload of witnesses and exhibits to get lined up.
I was talking to a defense investigator friend of mine in New York. He's freaking out about testifying in a murder case he has been working on for the last year. Trial has been going on for a few weeks and it looks like he will get called in to court on Wednesday. There is a question as to the accuracy of some digital photographs he took at a murder scene. I'm wondering how other public defender investigator's handle digital photographs and if anyone has ever had to testify as to their use in an investigation and authenticity. Truth is, we've been using them for the last three years but they have never been questioned...although I think we should be prepared in case they ever do.
You know...I can't believe that through all of the training and workshops that I've attended for evidence photography, I've never had to testify as to the authenticity of a photograph in court...I couldn't even tell him what to expect.
I DID send him to the Evidence Photographers International Council that produces a booklet, Standards for Evidence Photography. I'm going to order a copy for myself. I'll let you know what I think. I attended some of their training a few years ago but I their booklet didn't wasn't updated with digital photography techniques or information...it supposed to be now....Hopefully there will be some useful stuff in there.
Oh, and for those that may have been wondering...I officially took the new PD job. I'm making the right choice...I think.
No comments:
Post a Comment