Standardization News

A proposed ASTM International standard aims to outline best practices for crime scene photography. According to members of the organization’s forensic sciences committee (E30), the standard could help both professional photographers as well as those who occasionally need to take pictures of crime scenes.

According to member Brandon Epstein of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, the standard will include information on equipment selection, digital image management, and other crime photography best practices. It could include guidance on taking photos at crime scenes and non-criminal events such as accidents and collisions, research and experimentation, internal investigations, suicides, and suspicious deaths.  

“The standard will help to ensure a uniform delivery of services regardless of geographic location or agency size,” says Epstein.

The initial draft of the standard was developed with support from ongoing efforts by the U.S. National Institute of Standard and Technology’s Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) to improve the delivery and quality of forensic sciences. 

ASTM welcomes participation in the development of its standards. Become a member of ASTM. The next meeting of ASTM International’s forensic sciences committee is Oct. 23-24 in Houston, Texas, USA.