Guidelines for photography of cutaneous marks and injuries: a multi-professional perspective.

Investigators assessing the likelihood of physical abuse, must make a decision as to whether the injury seen matches the explanation given. In some instances the pattern of these injuries can give the investigator a possible link to the cause of the injury. Thus, matching an injury pattern to an implement or weapon used has forensic implications.

Focussing on the future: survey results on the image capture of patterned cutaneous injuries.

An investigator who is involved in assessing the likelihood of physical abuse must make a decision as to whether the injury seen matches the explanation given. In some instances the pattern of these injuries can give the investigator a possible link to the cause of the injury. Photographic imaging is used to record the patterned cutaneous injuries (PCI) and to facilitate forensic interpretation.

Quality of photographic images provided for injury interpretation: room for improvement?

The aim of the study was to determine the quality and nature of photographic images submitted to the National Injuries Database (part of the National Policing Improvement Agency) in the United Kingdom, for expert assessment and interpretation. A prospective analysis of cases (n = 50) were assessed for the number, origin, type and quality of images. Of 1,332 images in 50 cases submitted to the National Injuries Database, only 24% were appropriately labeled with an index; 5% were unfocussed; 64% had no rules or measurement scales; 0% had color charts or bars; 1.