Close-up photos should include which elements?

• A. Scale only
• B. No markers or scales
• C. Evidence marker and scale
• D. Evidence marker only

Answer: (C)

Close-up photos must capture enough context to interpret size and the item’s relationship to the scene. The best practice is to include both an evidence marker and a scale in every close-up. The evidence marker provides a clear label that ties the photo to the item in the evidence log and notes, helping investigators track what is being documented and its relationship to other elements of the scene. The scale gives a size reference so others can judge dimensions from the image and perform measurements later. Together they ensure the image can be analyzed in court and compared with other photos. Place the marker near the object and keep the scale visible in the frame, oriented so the units are readable and not obscuring important details. Without either, you lose essential information: you can’t reliably identify the item’s context or its size; with both, you have a precise, useful record.