Forensic Photography Workshop

Dates: July 24-28, 2023

Location: UF TREEO, 3900 SW 63rd Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32608

Photography is one of the most important aspects of crime scene investigation since it provides a permanent visual record of the scene. The photographic record will aid in both the investigation and the legal proceedings leading to and including courtroom testimony.

Course Objectives

This annual course focuses on the techniques necessary for the photographic documentation of crime scenes, gunshot wounds, bitemarks, weapons, and trace evidence as well as the creation of consistent approaches to photographic exposures, storage, and security. This workshop will introduce the many challenges facing crime scene and law enforcement personnel in documenting crime scenes through photographic techniques, and how to overcome these challenges.  Scene photography, alternate light source photography, and working in low lighting situations will be addressed. Mock crime scenes will be established in indoor and outdoor locations and participants will be divided into teams for the photographic documentation portion of the course. Participants are encouraged to utilize this course as an opportunity to become familiar with their own photographic equipment.

Topics

  • Basic DSLR camera use
  • Off and on camera flash use
  • Painting with light
  • Low light photography
  • Stop motion photography
  • Control of depth of field, shutter speed, and aperture

Instructor

Dr. Sharon Plotkin, Ed.D, M.S.
Sharon has a Doctor of Education, a M.S. in Criminal Justice, and is a IAI certified crime scene investigator.  She has over 18 year’s experience in crime scene investigation and specializes in crime scene documentation, training, photography, bloodstain recognition and fingerprinting.

Registration

Registration is online – It’s fast, safe and convenient. To register with your Visa, MasterCard, or American Express, please visit our secure, online registration website.

  • If the course is not listed on the registration page, enrollment in the course is currently closed.

Registration Fee: $600

Getting Started

  • This course is held from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily – make sure you plan travel time from your hotel accordingly!
  • Clothing: fieldwork clothes – closed toe shoes and long pants are required.
  • Lunch:
    • We will break for lunch daily around noon depending on the course schedule for that day. There are fast food options and a Publix nearby.
    • If you bring your own lunch, the TREEO center has a a microwave and refrigerator we are allowed to use. (please do not each the snacks in their kitchen – that is for UF TREEO staff ONLY!)
  • Camera: DSLR or phone camera
  • Computer: You will be creating a final presentation to give to the class on Friday afternoon.  Make sure you bring any necessary cables to upload your photos from your camera to your computer for inclusion in your presentation.

Lodging

Lodging is the responsibility of each attendee.

  1. Best Western Gateway Grand, 4200 NW 97th Boulevard, Gainesville, FL 32606. A special rate of $89 per night has been arranged for course attendees. Reservation rates will be honored throughout the course dates. Please refer to Maples Center Forensics when making reservations. For reservations, call (352) 331-3336 (local). Reservations depend on availability—the sooner you can book, the better!
  2. Hilton University of Florida Conference Center Gainesville, 1714 SW 34th Street Gainesville, FL 32607. A special rate for the hotel is booked through the UF College of Medicine. When using our organization’s link, you can book your room under the corporate special rate code – N1364036. To make a reservation over the phone, please call the Sales Coordinator, Julia Andreeva at (352) 384-3412.
  3. University associates can book a Wyndham Hotel and receive a discount on their stay, as a result of a University of Florida contract with the Wyndham Hotel Group.  This contract provides reduced rates on rooms at 11 brands and nearly 7,000 participating hotels worldwide. As an associate of the University of Florida, you will receive a minimum of 10% off the “Best Available Rate” at participating locations every time you travel whether the travel is for business or pleasure. To make a reservation, call the member benefits hotline at 1 (800) 525-5501.  You will need to give the agent the information below at the time of booking to receive the discount.
    • University of Florida
    • Discount Account ID Number: 1000007780
    • Affiliate ID Number: 005140