After a domestic violence incident, when is it important to follow up with photographs of injuries?

Taking photographs of injuries following a domestic violence incident is crucial for several reasons, primarily concerning documentation and evidence collection. The best practice is to follow up with photographs within 24 to 72 hours. This timeframe allows for capturing the condition of the injuries accurately at the moment they are visible, which might change over time due to healing or other factors.

Injuries can become less pronounced as time passes, so waiting too long could result in a lack of visible proof. Photographs taken within this critical window can serve as compelling evidence in legal proceedings, and they also contribute to a comprehensive record of the incident in reports.

Immediate photographic documentation has its value but may not capture the full extent of injuries, especially if swelling or bruising develops subsequently. Capturing photos only after the suspect's apprehension or only if injuries are severe limits the thoroughness of evidence collection. It is important to document all injuries, as even minor injuries can play a significant role in establishing a pattern of violence or can be critical to the victim's case for obtaining protective orders or in court proceedings.