212 Forensic dentistry
forensic photographers do not take enough photographs in the first few
cases in which they become involved.
11.6 Visible Light Photography
By far, the most common types of modern photography use visible light.
Manufacturers of film-based and digital photographic equipment develop
and market equipment and supplies that are specifically designed to have
an optimal performance in the 400 to 760 nm range of the electromagnetic
spectrum. For the photographer wishing to take pictures in this range of
light energy, there is little practice required to ensure highly detailed and
sharply focused photographs.
Many 35 mm film-based and digital SLR cameras are considered “auto-
matic” point-and-shoot cameras. By definition, the object to be photographed
is viewed through the lens and the camera automatically adjusts the focus and
exposure variables before image capture. These types of cameras have been
manufactured for optimal photography in the visible light spectrum. Part of
that manufacturing process includes coated lenses and filtered flash units
that block out the unwanted segments of the nonvisible light spectrum.
Most 35 mm cameras have serious size limitations when it comes to
recording life-size images. This limitation comes from the restricted emul-
sion area exposed on the film (24 × 35 mm rectangle) or the small surface area
used in the digital capture device. Since there are very few objects that will fit
into that small of an area, considerable enlargement of the photographs may
ABFO No .2 ©Figure 11.11 aBFo 2 scale.