Photodocumentation as Court Evidence

Photographic evidence should include a form with the victim's name, the case number, and the date and time the photographs were taken. The form should also contain a remarks section that includes case notes. Outline drawings of the child's body are also helpful to show the specific areas that were photographed. Photographs must be properly verified and relevant to the case so that:

• The photographer or investigator can testify in court that the pictures accurately portray the findings and can explain how the photographs were taken.
  
  
• A health professional who examined the child (other than the photographer) can verify in court that the photographs accurately represent the findings.