17 Crime Scene Photographer Interview Questions and Answers

A crime scene photographer documents the evidence found at a crime scene. He or she takes pictures of the scene as it is being processed and preserves the images for use by law enforcement officials, attorneys, and the courts.

If you’re interested in becoming a crime scene photographer, you’ll need to be able to answer some specific questions during your job interview. This guide will give you an overview of the questions you can expect, as well as some tips for how to answer them.

Are you comfortable working in high-pressure situations?

Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle the pressure of working in a crime scene. They want employees who are able to stay calm and focused when they’re surrounded by chaos. In your answer, explain that you have experience working under pressure. Explain how you remain calm and collected during chaotic situations.

Example: “I am very comfortable working in high-pressure situations. I’ve worked at many crime scenes where there was a lot of chaos. For example, I once photographed a homicide scene where the victim’s family members were crying and yelling. Despite all the commotion, I remained calm and focused on my job. I know it is important to stay professional and respectful while still getting the job done.”

What are some of the most important skills for a crime scene photographer to have?

Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills necessary for the job. They want someone who is detail-oriented, organized and able to work under pressure. When answering this question, think about what skills helped you succeed in your previous roles. Try to highlight skills that are relevant to working as a crime scene photographer.

Example: “The most important skill for me is my attention to detail. I am always looking for clues at the scene, so it’s crucial that I don’t miss anything. Another skill that is helpful is my ability to remain calm under pressure. Crime scenes can be chaotic, so I need to stay focused on getting the right shots while also making sure I’m safe.”

How would you handle a situation where you were not allowed to take certain photographs or samples?

This question can help employers understand how you would react to a challenging situation at work. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to follow the rules and regulations of your job. You can also mention any specific situations where you had to do this in the past.

Example: “I am always respectful of my employer’s wishes when it comes to what I can or cannot photograph or take samples from. If they tell me not to take certain photos or samples, I will comply with their request. However, if I think there is something important that I should be taking pictures of or collecting evidence from, I will respectfully ask them again about whether I can do so.”

What is your experience with using forensic equipment?

Employers may ask this question to learn more about your experience with crime scene photography equipment. They want to know if you have used similar equipment in the past and how well you can use it. Use your answer to explain what types of forensic equipment you’ve worked with and describe any specific skills you have using them.

Example: “In my previous role, I was responsible for photographing a wide range of evidence at crime scenes. This included taking photos of blood splatter patterns, fingerprints and other trace evidence. I am very familiar with using forensic cameras, microscopes and other tools that help me capture high-quality images of evidence. In fact, I often had to troubleshoot issues with these pieces of equipment when they broke down or didn’t work properly.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to use your critical thinking skills to solve a problem during an investigation.

Critical thinking is an important skill for crime scene photographers to have. Employers ask this question to see if you can use your critical thinking skills in a way that benefits their department. When answering this question, try to think of a time when you used your critical thinking skills to solve a problem or challenge at work.

Example: “When I was working on my first homicide case, I had to take photos of the entire crime scene and process all of the evidence. However, there were many people who needed to be present during the investigation, including the victim’s family members. This made it difficult to get everything done while also making sure everyone could view the photographs later.

I decided to make two sets of photographs—one set with everyone present and one set without anyone else in them. Then, I processed the evidence twice so I could give both sets of photographs to the appropriate parties.”

If you were asked to photograph a murder victim, what would be the most important things to capture in your images?

This question is a great way to see how the candidate prioritizes their work and what they consider important. It also shows you if they have experience photographing crime scenes.

Example: “I would first make sure I captured all of the victim’s injuries, as well as any evidence that may be present at the scene. If there are multiple victims, I would take care to photograph each one individually so that I can provide detailed information about each person. I would also try to capture images of the surrounding area, including any objects or people in the background.”

What would you do if you were assigned to photograph a crime scene but you started to feel nauseous or lightheaded?

This question can help employers determine how you react to challenging situations and whether you have the ability to think clearly in a stressful environment. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to do what’s necessary to complete the job even if it means overcoming an illness or injury.

Example: “If I started to feel nauseous or lightheaded at a crime scene, I would first ask for permission from my supervisor to leave the scene so I could recover. If they said no, I would take a break until I felt better and then return to work. I understand that as a crime scene photographer, I am responsible for completing all of my assignments regardless of any obstacles.”

How well do you think you would be able to work with law enforcement officers and other crime scene professionals?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to work with others and collaborate. It also gives you the chance to demonstrate that you have experience working in a team environment. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific instances where you worked well with law enforcement officers or other crime scene professionals.

Example: “I think I would do very well working with law enforcement officers and other crime scene professionals because of my previous experiences doing so. In my last role as a photographer, I often collaborated with police officers and forensic scientists to ensure we were all capturing images at the same time. This helped me learn how to communicate effectively with these professionals and develop relationships with them.”

Do you have any questions for me about the position or company?

This is your chance to show the interviewer that you’ve done some research on their company and are genuinely interested in working for them. It’s also a good time to ask any questions you have about the position or how it fits into the company as a whole.

Example: “I was really impressed by the work you do here, and I’m excited to be part of such an innovative team. I noticed that there are several departments within this organization, so I wanted to make sure I would be interacting with all of them regularly. I think my skillset could benefit each department, but I want to make sure I can contribute to the entire company.”

When photographing a crime scene, how do you decide what evidence to collect and what to leave alone?

This question can help an interviewer understand how you prioritize your work and ensure that you’re following proper procedures. Your answer should show the interviewer that you know what evidence is important to collect and document at a crime scene.

Example: “I always photograph any blood or bodily fluids, as well as anything that may have been used in the commission of a crime. I also take photos of any objects that are out of place or damaged. In my last role, we had a case where someone broke into a home and stole several items. The homeowner was able to give us a detailed list of all the missing items, so I photographed each item individually and took close-up shots of any unique markings on them.”

We want to improve our response time to crime scenes. How would you motivate your team to work faster and more efficiently?

This question can help the interviewer understand your leadership skills and how you would motivate a team to work more efficiently. Use examples from previous experiences where you motivated your team to work faster or helped them improve their efficiency.

Example: “I have worked with my current crime scene photographer for several years, so I know that we are both highly motivated individuals who want to do our best work. However, in the past, when we were working on smaller cases, we sometimes took longer than necessary to get all of the photos we needed. To solve this problem, I started giving us deadlines for each case based on its urgency. This has helped us focus on getting the job done quickly rather than taking extra time to make sure every photo is perfect.”

Describe your experience with using digital editing tools to enhance photographs.

Employers may ask this question to learn more about your experience with using digital editing tools. They want to know if you have the skills and knowledge to use these tools effectively in a crime scene photography role. In your answer, share which digital editing tools you’re familiar with and how you’ve used them in previous roles.

Example: “I’m very comfortable using digital editing tools to enhance photographs. I’ve worked as a photographer for five years now, so I’ve had plenty of practice using different software programs. At my last job, I often edited photos to remove red-eye or brighten up dark areas. I also used photo-editing software to crop images and add text.”

What makes you the best candidate for this crime scene photographer position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills you have that relate to this role. Think about what makes you unique compared to other candidates.

Example: “I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which is why I love photography so much. I know how important it is to capture every aspect of a crime scene, so I always take my time when photographing a scene. In addition to these skills, I also have experience working with law enforcement officials. This has given me valuable insight into the work environment, which helps me feel prepared for this position.”

Which camera systems are you most familiar with using?

Employers may ask this question to see if you have experience using the same camera system they use at their crime scene photography job. If you don’t have experience with the specific brand of camera, it’s important to show that you’re willing to learn and adapt quickly. You can answer this question by listing the brands of cameras you’ve used in your previous jobs.

Example: “I’m most familiar with Nikon and Canon systems. I worked for a company where we primarily used Nikon equipment, but I also had some training on Canon equipment when I was working as an intern.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of crime scene photography?

This question can help the interviewer determine your priorities and how you approach a job. Your answer should show that you understand what’s important in this role, such as attention to detail, accuracy and timeliness.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of crime scene photography is capturing evidence accurately. This means taking photos from multiple angles so I can document everything clearly. It also means being sure not to disturb anything at the scene while I’m photographing it. In my last position, I was able to take detailed photographs of a homicide victim because I took care to avoid moving any evidence or contaminating the scene.”

How often do you think crime scene photographers should update their skills and knowledge?

Employers want to know that you’re committed to your career and are always looking for ways to improve. Show them that you’re willing to take on additional training or certification programs when they become available.

Example: “I think it’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest technology, so I’m constantly researching new equipment and techniques. I also try to attend seminars and conferences where crime scene photographers share their experiences. I find these events really helpful because I can learn from other professionals who have been in my position.”

There is a lot of controversy around the use of body cameras in law enforcement. What are your thoughts on this issue?

This question is a great way to gauge the applicant’s thoughts on an important issue in law enforcement. It also allows you to see how they might handle controversy within their department. Your answer should show that you understand the importance of body cameras and why they are beneficial for both officers and civilians.

Example: “I think body cameras are a great tool for law enforcement because they allow us to hold ourselves accountable for our actions. They can protect both civilians and officers from false accusations, which is especially helpful when there is no other evidence to support either side. I would be open to implementing body cameras into my department as long as we have policies in place to ensure all footage is secure.”