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Scene Photography

This page explains how photographs should be taken to document and analyse bloodstains for analysis in HemoVision. For HemoVision, two types of images are required:

  • Overview Images: photographs taken from a distance, that encompass all markers (or as much markers as possible in the case of multi-surface documentation).
  • Detail Images: close-up photographs that capture detail on the bloodstains, and include (at least) one detail marker.

Depending on whether your markers are placed on a single surface or on multiple surfaces, the way of photographing slightly changes. Both scenario's are discussed below. You can download our demo data and get an idea of how photographs should be taken.

Single Surface

When all your bloodstains (and hence your markers) are on a single surface, you need to take:

  • One overview image that encompasses all markers, indicated by the blue camera in the image below. Try to move as close to the pattern as possible, while making sure that all markers are in the image.
  • As many detail images are you like. Each detail image is a close-up that includes (at least) one detail marker. Of course, you can make multiple photographs from the same detail marker. The green rectangles in the image below indicate possible detail images.

Marker Photography

Multi Surface

When your bloodstains (and hence your markers) are on multiple surfaces, you need to take:

  • Many overview images that are taken from different positions and orientations. Each overview image should encompass as much markers as possible. Of course, it is not always possible to get all markers in each image. Just make sure that each marker is present in at least five images. As a general rule of thumb, take a minimum of 15 photographs from varying positions and orientations, as indicated by the blue cameras in the image below.
  • As many detail images are you like. Each detail image is a close-up that includes (at least) one detail marker. Of course, you can make multiple photographs from the same detail marker. The green rectangles in the image below indicate possible detail images.

Marker Photography

Camera Requirements

Photographs can be taken using any digital camera or smartphone camera. There are no strict requirements, though the following should be taken into account as much as possible:

  • We recommend a minimum resolution of 10MP. When photographing markers from far away, however, higher resolutions may be required.
  • Avoid distortion (e.g., fish-eye lens or wide-angle lens).
  • When using a flash, use a bounce flash as opposed to a direct flash to avoid unwanted glare and shadows.