Three-Day National Training Program on “Crime Scene Photography and Videography as per Provisions of New Laws and BPR&D SOPs”

Dates: June 18–20, 2025
Venue: Seminar Hall, NSIT–IFSCS, Jetalpur, Ahmedabad
Organized by: Narnarayan Shastri Institute of Technology – Institute of Forensic Science and Cyber Security (NSIT-IFSCS)

Event Overview:

On June 18, 2025, NSIT–IFSCS inaugurated a prestigious three-day national-level training program titled “Crime Scene Photography and Videography” at its Jetalpur campus. The initiative aims to assist police officers and public prosecutors in understanding chain of custody management and presenting clinching evidence in a court of law with hands-on training and theoretical understanding in the scientific visual documentation of crime scenes, a key component of modern forensic investigation and legal procedure.

Inauguration Ceremony

The training program was formally inaugurated by Shri Ambalal Patel, Director of Prosecution, Government of Gujarat. During his inaugural address, Shri Patel highlighted the crucial role of accurate, ethical, and legally sound photographic documentation in the criminal justice process. He emphasized that such documentation is vital for reinforcing the integrity of investigations and ensuring the admissibility of visual evidence in courts of law.

The ceremony witnessed participation from 61 delegates representing various regions across India, including:

  • 58 Public Prosecutors

  • 2 Forest Police Officers

  • 1 Officer from Kerala Police

The diverse attendance of investigators, legal professionals, and academic personnel reflected the interdisciplinary significance of the training, underlining its relevance across both law enforcement and legal domains.

Keynote & Technical Sessions – Day 1

The inaugural keynote session was delivered by Dr. Keshav Kumar (IPS Retd.), Former Director General of Police, Gujarat and Advisor to the Government of Assam. Drawing upon his extensive experience in high-profile criminal investigations, Dr. Kumar emphasized the real-world applications of forensic photography in preserving evidence and resolving complex cases.

Following the keynote, an intensive technical session was conducted by Mr. Bhargav Pandya, expert photographer from the Institute of Photography Excellence, Ahmedabad. The session covered:

  • The importance of photographic perspective in evidence collection

  • Overview of macro and forensic photography techniques

  • Introduction to camera types: DSLR, mirrorless, point-and-shoot

  • Use of lenses, tripods, lighting equipment, and optimal settings

  • Live hands-on demonstration followed by an interactive Q&A


Subsequent Sessions – June 19–20, 2025

Over the next two days, the training progressed into advanced techniques, drone-based documentation, and legal frameworks through a series of expert-led sessions and practical exercises.

Day 2 Highlights

  • Mr. Amit, Drone Lab Technologies

    • Drone photography and aerial crime scene documentation

    • Applications in crime scene mapping and surveillance

  • Mr. Bhargav Pandya

    • Basics of videography for forensic purposes

    • Techniques for dynamic evidence capture, walkthroughs, and camcorder usage

  • Mr. Ronak Panchal, All India Reporter (AIR), Gujarat

    • Introduction to AIR’s digital legal tools and handling electronic evidence

Day 3 Highlights

  • Dr. Anurag Shrivastava (Online Session)

    • Techniques for low-light evidence photography

    • Use of alternate light sources and video documentation

  • Prof. K. V. Ravi Kumar & Dr. Parvesh Sharma

    • Use of UV, IR, and underwater photography

    • Discussion on metadata, legal implications, privacy, and ethical considerations

  • Practical Mock Investigation

    • Indoor and outdoor crime scene simulations

    • Team-based exercises: documentation, report writing, and evaluation


Course Objectives and Curriculum Alignment

The program was designed to align with the public prosecutor training curriculum, addressing the following key objectives:

  • Strengthening photographic and videographic documentation skills

  • Promoting understanding of legal and ethical standards

  • Providing hands-on training with forensic photography equipment

  • Building capacity to produce court-admissible visual evidence

Core Modules Covered

  1. Introduction to Forensic Photography

  2. Crime Scene Videography

  3. Evidence Documentation

  4. Advanced Techniques (Drones, UV, IR)

  5. Legal & Ethical Considerations

  6. Mock Crime Scene Exercises and Report Preparation


Valedictory Session and Certification

The program concluded on June 20, 2025, with a valedictory ceremony and certificate distribution. Participants expressed appreciation for the program’s interactive format, field-based content, and its direct applicability to their investigative roles. Many affirmed that the training had equipped them with practical skills essential for real-world criminal investigations.

Few Glimpses of the 3-Day Event

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Prepared By:
Dr. Harjeet Singh
Asst. Professor, NSIT-IFSCS

Date: 18-20.06.2025

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