What is something that photographers do NOT need when photographing evidence?

Photographers do not need specialized photography skills when photographing evidence within a crime scene context. While basic photographic capabilities are beneficial, the primary focus in crime scene photography is accurately capturing the scene, details, and context without requiring advanced artistic skills.

The emphasis in this type of photography is on documenting the scene in a way that supports the investigation, not creating aesthetically pleasing images. Understanding of crime scene protocols is essential to ensure that evidence is preserved, while knowledge of evidence handling is critical to avoid contamination or loss of the integrity of evidence. Camera accessories are also important to facilitate the best documentation, such as tripods for stability and flashes for adequate lighting in various conditions.

This highlights the specialized nature of crime scene photography where functional documentation supersedes artistic skill.