Ultraviolet Photography

Ultraviolet (UV) photography has an established role in clinical forensic medicine and is beginning to be used in child abuse assessments. UV is a method of photography in which a standard, high-speed (ISO 800/1600) color slide film is used in conjunction with a high-powered electronic flash. The flash must be covered with a Wood's Filter (Wratten Filter 18A); another filter (Wratten Filter 2B or 2E) must be used on the camera lens. The end result of UV photography is an image that may display healed wounds, bite marks, belt imprints, and old pattern-type injuries.

There are disadvantages to UV photography. Photographing conscious subjects can be difficult and may produce little usable evidence, and the image cannot be seen until after development. In addition, the methodology is complex, the working parameters are tight, and any proof may be altered by subject movement or inaccurate focusing. If UV is to be used, the subject should also be recorded on conventional color slide film using a standard nonfiltered flash and lens combination.