Interpretation on crime scene photography evidence for Syariah Offences: A conceptual paper

The use of crime scene photography in the investigation of criminal cases is crucial in recording evidence at the scene. Today's increasingly complex crimes demand, the need to understand the digital medium of photography as one of the tools that can help in facilitating the criminal case investigation process. In Malaysia civil law, crime scene photography has long been practiced, however, this medium is relatively new in the Syariah Legal System. There is research on the usage of photography in crime investigation, however, there is a lack of research on digital image photography in Syariah crime investigation, particularly on the interpretation by Syariah practitioners on digital image photography as evidence for Syariah offenses. This research aims to enhance the understanding of Syariah practitioners towards the interpretation of digital image photography evidence for Syariah offenses. The ability of Syariah practitioners is not only required to conduct investigations properly but also to provide digital image photography analysis to produce documented evidence to support criminal investigations and prosecutions in court. This study will be conducted using the qualitative case study method on Syariah Investigation Department which enforces photography as evidence in Syariah offences. A model on interpreting crime scene photography for Syariah offence cases would be developed with the findings that could be considered helpful to the Syariah Investigation Department.