A single image can change the course of an investigation. It can provide the one piece of evidence linking an offender to a crime. It can make the difference between conviction and acquittal.
Senior Constable Tony Hickland, of Canterbury, has been a police officer for 19 years and a police photographer since 2018. It's a role that he says is both a privilege and a responsibility.
¡°We document the worst of humanity, the poor decisions people make, and the trauma that people inflict on each other, but capturing those images is a vital part of any investigation.¡±
Making the best use of technology and with an acute eye for detail, forensic photographers take photos that accurately reflect an incident. It could be anything from a crash, a crime scene or injuries, to weapons or a body. These images support investigations and are used in court as evidence.
Photographers like Tony have the skills of any professional photographer and the experience of a frontline police officer.
¡°We look for the obvious and the not so obvious,¡± says Tony. ¡°What looks out of place? What¡¯s missing here?
¡°It¡¯s certainly not for everyone, but knowing that the next photo I take could be the clincher in a crime and help hold an offender to account ¨C that¡¯s what continues to drive me.¡±
Watch Tony talk about his craft and some memorable moments from his career in the video at the top of this page