Recent Book: In Camera: Police Photography
| Date | 01 October 1971 |
| Published date | 01 October 1971 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X7104400413 |
| Subject Matter | Recent Book |
IN CAMERA
HAROLD
POUNTNEY:
Police Photography. Elsevier £6.00.
For
those concerned with the every-
day application of forensic photo-
graphy, this
book
fulfils a long-felt
need. A glance at the reference to other
textbooks available (included towards
the end of the book) is sufficient
proof
of this.
To cover in one volume a variety of
subject
matter
ranging from the func-
tions of police photography, traffic and
homicide to macrophotography, ac-
commodation and staff is a formidable
task.
The
layout of this
book
is
designed for easy reference most
suited to those practising police
photography. However, it provides
interesting reading for all concerned
with law enforcement, who should
find it profitable.
The full and precise descriptions of
techniques do not stop at the confines
of the photographic aspect but over-
flow into references to everyday police
duty. There are some useful references
to relevant legislation and the plain and
simple diagrams (thirty in all) provide
a good starter to the techniques
described. Forty-eight photographic
plates are included in the centre of the
book. These have been extremely well
chosen and illustrate some classic
examples of police photography. A
number of advanced techniques more
applicable for laboratory use have been
omitted. Nevertheless, they are referred
to and reasons for omissions are given.
Acomplete chapter is devoted to each
of the subjects of ultra-violet photo-
graphy, infra-red photography, photo-
micrography and microphotography
and microcopying.
These subjects are competently dealt
with and should clear up some com-
mon
misconceptions.
It
may perhaps be a pity
that
the
chapter on colour photography is not
somewhat more comprehensive. Eight
pages cover this subject, compared
with twice
that
number devoted to
fingerprints. However, the facts quoted
concerning colour photography are
very much to the point and in a book
of this kind the line obviously has to be
drawn somewhere.
The chapter devoted to accommoda-
tion, equipment and staff suggests the
ideal for a busy centralised department.
Although not described in great detail
the hard facts are all included and
positive pointers given to tackle the
job
from the planning stage. A useful
chapter covers photography and the
law including copyright.
This book is well produced in clear,
easy to read type, on good quality
paper with excellent illustrations.
Police photographers everywhere
should be grateful to the
author
for
his knowledge, skill and patience in
producing this volume. No police
photographic department should be
without a copy and it more
than
deserves a place in every police library.
A.M.B.
REMEMBERING
FACES
JACQUES
PENRY:
Looking at Faces. Elek £2.50.
The difficulties attached to obtaining
accurate descriptions of faces are well
known. This
book
makes a strong plea
for a unified method of describing
faces
both
by the public and the police.
From
the law enforcement angle it
emphasises the necessity for a skilful
operator to question witnesses. As the
author
points
out,
a witness, who en-
tirely from memory, is able to give a
description which would positively
identify any face, would have achieved
a most unusual feat. The theory is
advanced
that
any person can acquire
aworking capacity for remembering
and describing faces. To assist with
this, the
author
tries to provide the
potential witness with a new and
352
efficient way of observing faces as
patterns. He correctly maintains
that
adults often acquire a set of fixed
notions,
of
preferences and prejudices,
because in life important decisions are
bound up with faces. We trust
and
mistrust, we employ and are em-
ployed, and we identify the face with
the whole person.
Attention is drawn to facial optical
illusions whereby a change of only one
feature greatly alters the whole facial
appearance. Mr. Penry also draws
attention to the lack of any attempt to
study ears, in spite of the fact
that
ears
are as unique to every face as finger-
prints to every person. The book
illustrates the same principles as the
October 1971
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