Photographs documenting a victim's injuries often provide key evidence in child abuse cases and convictions. To ensure effective photodocumentation, it is important to use the most appropriate camera equipment and film and to properly identify and investigate the child victim. Critical to all investigations of child abuse is the method of photographing injuries such as pressure injuries, bite marks, bruises, burns, facial injuries, amputations, neglect, and sexual abuse injuries. Accurate courtroom evidence can be hindered by the following:

• Ineffective camera equipment and film.
  
  
• Insufficient methods of photographing the victim or the victim's injuries.
  
  
• Misinformation regarding the photographs of the case.
  
  
• Mislabeling of child abuse information, including photographs.

This guide offers important information on how to document cases of suspected child abuse through photography to enhance the investigation process or provide courtroom evidence and testimony.