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Film
The standard film for medical
use in documenting child abuse cases is 35mm color slide film, sometimes
referred to as color transparency or color reversal film. Color slides
are relatively inexpensive and easy to file and can be quickly developed
and converted into color prints if necessary.
Regardless of the camera equipment
used, the following points concerning type and use of film are important
in ensuring consistency in results and reproduction of the injury, its
location, color, size, and pattern:
- Use fine-grain color slide
or print film that has a film speed rating of 100 or 200 ISO (International
Standards Organization). This type of daylight film allows for a greater
depth of field (sharpness) with a minimum amount of grain and blurriness.
Always use a flash when shooting indoors with daylight film. Sixty-second,
self-developing film is not recommended.
- Keep film and camera equipment
in a clean, empty, dry thermal container or picnic cooler. Do not store
the film unprotected in a vehicle. Sunlight and extreme temperatures
can adversely affect color accuracy, reduce the film's sensitivity to
light, and in some cases, result in tearing or splitting.
- Store film in the refrigerator
or freezer to keep it fresh, but place at room temperature for approximately
2 to 3 hours before it is to be used (24 hours if film is frozen).
- Process exposed film as
soon as possible to avoid a color imbalance or shift.
- Remember when the film was
loaded, the type of film, and how many exposures a roll contains. Attach
an end flap from the film carton to the camera back as a reminder. Failure
to do so could result in lost evidence. Always remove rewound film from
the camera and attach an identification sticker or place in an evidence
bag before the film is sent for processing.
- Make sure an extra camera
and set of flash batteries are available at all times.
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