Criminology

The use of visual images and the tools necessary for producing them are almost everywhere within the society. Photography has over time basic necessity in to the middle class, upper class citizens and in the criminology department. Despite the fact that photography plays an important part in criminology, it has over time been overlooked and its contribution towards criminology have gone un-noticed.

Significance and the strong points of photography
Photography makes it possible to document any form of evidence which can be required within the criminal justice systems. Both forensic and legal photography provide investigative and exculpatory materials that are relevant in the courts of law.

Photography has over time been used by journalists in investigative or undercover journalism. Photography is also significant in crime scenes especially where vivid demonstrations and description about a criminal incident is needed. Photographs give an overview or a bigger picture of a crime scene.

Photography is also used to produce evidence incases where crimes against humanity such as genocide and ethnic cleansing have been committed. In that, the photography provides an overview of the strategies that the criminals do employ and by so doing the officers will device counter strategies. Photography is also used to add more emotion effect to any inculpatory or exculpatory form of evidence. Photography is also used in forensics to document, identify and convict criminals (Carrabine, et al, 2004).

Photography and cold cases
Photography is also used in cold cases to produce tangible images as well as enable investigators to comprehend what actually transpired. It is vital in cold cases in that it gives room for any new witness, provides a better analysis of the causes of any crime and often leads to better and conclusive results. Photography can be used in cold cases as a compelling tool to exonerate those who had been previously accused of committing an offence. That is, photography can be used as a post conviction tool in cold cases.

Disadvantagesweak points
Regardless of the significance of photography to criminology, the visual evidence which i used in investigations is subject to manipulation by photographers. This has even been made worse by the rapid growth in the use of digital cameras.

How to fully exploit photography
In order to fully exploit the photography the public should be encouraged to embrace the use of digital technology which creates room for immediate image review. It also permits image manipulation which is an area that requires to be properly understood. In that, the public is not aware that images from digital cameras do have a time and date which reduces the chances of manipulation. The law enforcers should also embrace the use of photography as a research and training tool in the criminal justice settings.  The public awareness will go a long way in eliminating the wrong perception about authenticity (Carrabine, et al, 2004).

In conclusion, the significant contribution of photography towards criminology should no longer be taken lightly and the two should be integrated in a bid to reduce the rising insecurity problem among cities. Also, though the initial cost outlay of the digital world is high, the public and other bodies should be encouraged to switch to it.