# A question about taking photos at a crime scene. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 31, 2007, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-taking-photos-at-a-crime-scene/424745 "2007-10-31T17:38:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![diggleblop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@diggleblop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggleblop)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-taking-photos-at-a-crime-scene/424745/1 "2007-10-31T17:38:27Z")
OK, I’ve watched this twice in two different movies. When there is a murder and the CSI is there, the cops and investigators are there an they have the crowd blocked off with the tape, they’re taking pictures of the dead body. Well, one of the detectives told the CSI camera guy to turn the camera quickly towards the crowd and snap a few shots, because a lot of time the murderer may be in the crowd watching and they just might get a picture of him/her. How much truth is there in this? Do cops do this and if so, do they still do it? ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-taking-photos-at-a-crime-scene/424745/2 "2007-10-31T17:48:00Z")
[QUOTE=diggleblop] OK, I’ve watched this twice in two different movies. When there is a murder and the CSI is there, the cops and investigators are there an they have the crowd blocked off with the tape, they’re taking pictures of the dead body. Well, one of the detectives told the CSI camera guy to turn the camera quickly towards the crowd and snap a few shots, because a lot of time the murderer may be in the crowd watching and they just might get a picture of him/her. How much truth is there in this? Do cops do this and if so, do they still do it? [/QUOTE] IANAPO but I have been through fire investigation training classes. At least in that circle, it is SOP to photograph the crowd, repeat arsonists are famous for hanging around. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-taking-photos-at-a-crime-scene/424745/3 "2007-10-31T17:50:12Z")
[QUOTE=diggleblop] OK, I’ve watched this twice in two different movies. When there is a murder and the CSI is there, the cops and investigators are there an they have the crowd blocked off with the tape, they’re taking pictures of the dead body. Well, one of the detectives told the CSI camera guy to turn the camera quickly towards the crowd and snap a few shots, because a lot of time the murderer may be in the crowd watching and they just might get a picture of him/her. How much truth is there in this? Do cops do this and if so, do they still do it? [/QUOTE] Never did it at a homicide, but I’ve done it at building fires. There is some truth about arsonists returning to the scene. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-taking-photos-at-a-crime-scene/424745/4 "2007-10-31T17:51:46Z")
Damn it, **drachillix** 😉 !