Crime Scene Photography - Basic

This is an intensive 40 hour hands on photography class that teaches the student how to use their department issued DSLR camera equipment.  Students will learn to be confident using the equipment at crime scenes, searches and accident scenes in a variety of environments.  This class is taught at a beginner’s level of basic photography fundamentals.  This course has many different practical shooting assignments which are indoors and outdoors with one nighttime assignment.

To register for the course, contact your Training Manager to assign the training to you via the Learning Management System (LMS).

If you have any issues with registration, please reach out to the program staff listed on this page.

Upcoming classes are listed below.  Registration does not guarantee acceptance into the class.  Selections will be completed four weeks prior to the class; those accepted into the class will receive a notification at that time.

If classes are full, or not available, please complete the Course Interest Survey.  This is not a waiting list, but instead helps us see if there is enough interest to create another class.  If we schedule a session, we will contact everyone who has completed the survey and request that registration be completed.

For equipment questions please contact instructor Dan Read at dpread@fbi.gov. For all other inquiries please contact the CJTC staff listed for this course. 

The Equipment Checklist (under "Documents" below) is due four weeks before the session start date in order to be accepted into the class
$100
Roxana Jenny-Williams (Administrative Assistant)
atd@cjtc.wa.gov

(206) 835-7362

Who can attend our classes?

This class is open to those involved in law enforcement or any field where photography is a requirement for documenting evidence or scenes.

Required Equipment

To ensure you have the correct equipment for class, please review our equipment guide.

  • DSLR camera (department or personal) not older than 3-4 years.
    • Point and shoot cameras are not allowed
  • General purpose lens (usually 18mm to 120mm somewhere in that range)
  • Macro/Micro lens (lens needs to be capable of shooting 1:1, or macro filter kits will also work)
  • External Flash
    • Flash needs to be capable of shooting in TTL Auto and Manual mode.
    • The flash MUST show a distance scale in feet while in Manual Mode.
    • Not older than 3-4 years.
  • Lateral Tripod
    • Needs to be fully adjustable and in good working condition. 
    • Needs to be able to hold at least 8-10 lbs.
    • No plastic tripods allowed.
  • Laptop computer
  • Remote shutter release (wireless or cord)
  • TTL Off camera flash cord (even if flash is wireless should at least 6’ long)
  • Camera Manual (if you don’t have one, then download one PRIOR to class)
  • Video cord for camera (cord usually has one yellow end and came with camera)
  • Large black umbrella
  • “L” shaped ABFO ruler and/or Hinged L reference scale (one side black or gray other side white)
  • Small pushbutton flashlight
  • 2 – Camera cards (should be at least 4GB each)
  • Extra Flash batteries

Dress Code

Visitors attending training at the WSCJTC are encouraged to wear their agency logo shirt/uniform or agency ID badge while on campus. 

Visitors not wearing agency identification can attend classes in business casual attire.  They will need to check in at the front desk and wear a clip-on visitor's identification card.

Schedule

Classes will be held 0800 – 1700 Monday through Friday.

Dates and locations will vary by session.

There is a night shoot on Wednesday of each class.  Exact hours will be announced in class.

REQUIRED FORMS

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