Abstract

The human eye is an important tool for observing evidence, and visual evidence in turn may be documented onto a photographic medium. The human eye is generally sensitive only to a narrow band of the electromagnetic spectrum from about 700 nm (red) to about 400 nm (violet/blue). It is possible to extend the range of radiations over which evidence may be documented by using the natural ultraviolet sensitivity of photographic films. However, photographing evidence with ultraviolet radiation ultimately involves presenting the information to subjects who may have no prior experience at viewing these wavelengths. This study shows that it is necessary to use a calibrated ultraviolet reflecting gray scale to allow meaningful interpretation of results.

References

1.
Muntz
WRA
.
Inert absorbing and reflecting pigments
. In:
Dartnall
H
, editor.
Handbook of sensory physiology
. Vol.
7
.
Berlin
:
Springer-Verlag
,
1972
;
529
65
.
2.
Dyer
AG
.
Ocular filtering of ultraviolet radiation and the spectral spacing of photoreceptors benefit von Kries colour constancy
.
J Exp Biol
 0022-0949
2001
;
204
:
2391
9
.
3.
Williams
AR
,
Williams
GF
. (
1993
).
The invisible image—a tutorial on photography with invisible radiation. Part 1. Introduction and reflected ultraviolet techniques
.
J Biol Photo
 0274-497X
1993
;
61
:
115
32
4.
Kevan
PG
,
Chittka
L
,
Dyer
AG
.
Limits to the salience of ultraviolet: lessons from the birds and the bees
.
J Exp Biol
 0022-0949
2001
;
204
:
2571
80
5.
Hempling
S
.
The applications of ultraviolet photography in clinical forensic medicine
.
Med Sci Law
 0025-8024
1981
;
21
:
215
22
6.
Krauss
T
,
Warlen
S
.
The forensic sciences uses of reflective ultraviolet photography
.
J Forensic Sci
 0022-1198
1985
;
30
:
262
8
7.
Ruddick
R
.
A technique for recording bite marks for forensic studies
.
Med Biol Illustr
 0025-6978
1974
;
24
:
128
9
8.
West
M
,
Barsley
R
,
Frair
J
,
Stewart
W
.
Ultraviolet radiation and its role in wound pattern documentation
.
J Forensic Sci
 0022-1198
1992
;
37
:
1466
79
9.
Kevan
PG
.
Vegetation and floral colors revealed by ultraviolet light: interpretational difficulties for functional significance
.
Am J Bot
 0002-9122
1979
;
66
:
749
71
10.
Kevan
PG
,
Grainger
ND
,
Mulligan
GA
,
Robertson
AR
.
A gray-scale for measuring reflectance and colour in the insect and human visual spectra
.
Ecology
 0012-9658
1973
;
54
:
924
6
11.
Crime-Scene-Investigator
. Available online at: http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/uvchildphoto.html (Verified
19
11
2003
).
12.
Diffey
BL
.
Solar ultraviolet radiation effects on biological systems
.
Phys Med Biol
 0031-9155 https://doi.org/10.1088/0031-9155/36/3/001
1991
;
36
:
299
328
13.
Dyer
AG
.
Reflection of near-ultraviolet radiation from flowers of Australian native plants
.
Aus J Bot
1996
;
44
:
473
88
14.
Kodak.
Kodak filters for scientific and technical uses
. Rochester: Eastman Kodak Company,
1992
15.
Buck
GB
,
Froelich
HC
.
Color characteristics of human complexions
.
Illum Eng
 0019-2333
1948
;
43
:
27
49
This content is only available via PDF.
You do not currently have access to this content.