GMS6357L
- In-Person Elective Course
- Credits: 3
- Dates: June 22-26, 2026
- Instructor: Dr. Sharon Plotkin
- Location: UF Austin Cary Forest Campus
This course has been designed to give students a hands-on approach regarding the basic concepts of photographing crime scenes. Students will become familiar with the history, the operation of the digital camera, admissibility and court challenges of photos, camera functions, photo sequencing and composition, use of lighting, flash, ALS, macro photography, videography, and will include photo exercises.
Course Objectives:
- Describe the development and history of photography.
- Describe the operations of the digital camera.
- Understand the admissibility and court challenges of photos.
- Describe the camera functions (Aperture settings, shutter settings, ISO and white balance).
- Describe composition and Cardinal Rules of photography.
- Describe basic exposure concepts.
- Describe focus, depth of field, and lenses.
- Determine when to photograph the crime scene to document the evidence.
- Understand how to assess the crime scene to determine what items to photograph within the scene to include perishable, transitory, or fragile evidence.
- Determine where to place evidence markers and reference indicators when photographing a crime scene.
- Determine how to photograph a crime scene effectively, to include sequencing views, proper lighting, and framing and focusing.
- Describe Macro and Latent Print photography concepts.
- Describe special photography concepts, such as nighttime, alternative light source (ALS), impression evidence, and luminol/BlueStar®.
- Describe videography.
- Understand and describe photography for special situations, such as accidents, surveillance, aerial, and underwater.
Lodging
Lodging is the responsibility of each attendee.
- Best Western Gateway Grand, 4200 NW 97th Boulevard, Gainesville, FL 32606. A special rate of $109 per night on double or king suite (includes complimentary breakfast) 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!
- Comfort Suites Gainesville Near University, 2603 SW 13th St, Gainesville, FL, 32608. Attendees can receive 15% off the standard room rate by using code LUFH when booking.
- 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 the specialized link below, 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.
- Hotel ELEO at UF, 1514 SW 14th St, Gainesville, FL 32608. A special rate of $159 per night on City View Queen, City View King and City View Studio rooms with modern accommodations and on-site dining has been arranged. Click here for special booking link. Additional deals can be found at: https://www.hoteleleo.com/specials/
- 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
Forensic Medicine Distance Education Pro…
Interested in this subject, but can’t come to the in-person lab? Take Forensic Photography 100% online!