Science Week: A snapshot into the Forensic Imaging Section

It is Science Week 2020, and to celebrate we are featuring some of the staff in the Queensland Police Service (QPS) Forensic Services Group.

Let’s begin with a specialist in recording the visuals of a crime scene…

Name: Jeremy Dunn

Rank: Acting Senior Sergeant

Branch: Forensic Imaging Section

Qualifications:

• • Associate Diploma of Arts (Applied Photography)
  • Diploma of Business Management
  • CASA Remote Pilot Licence

Equipment: Computers, FARO 3D scanner, IFIS 3D scanner, DSLR camera and lenses, drone, additional camera and lighting equipment.

Year joined QPS: 1988

What is the most interesting part of your job?

It can be confronting but rewarding to record the scenes of disasters and major crimes. I have recorded a variety of scenes from high-profile government meetings to post mortems and major crime scenes.

Today, we use a combination of still photography and 3D scanning equipment to create a lifelike walkthrough of a scene, which can be used to convey the feeling and fine details of the location to judges, jurors or any other people who need to understand the scope of a scene.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Since I joined the QPS, there have been tremendous advancements in camera technology.

When I started, we used medium format film cameras and had to develop the photos in a darkroom.

Today we are still introducing new equipment that helps us to accurately and reliably record a location, but it is no longer restricted to static photography and the results are now edging closer to virtual reality.

Tell us about a memorable moment in this role?

Some jobs are challenging and never quite leave my memory, but one of the more lighthearted experiences was being part of the judging of the Australian and South West Pacific Police Photography competition in 1992.

Having the opportunity to critically view the photographs from police in other jurisdictions inspired me and others to improve our techniques and helped us discover new approaches to photographing difficult subjects, where the main criteria was for ‘strong images’.

We will continue to showcase unique science-oriented roles within the QPS Forensic Services Group throughout the week. 

For information about how to join the Queensland Police Service, visit the recruiting website: policerecruit.com.au