Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
graphics pad and enter the pathological information on the screen
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with a stylus, light pen,
or other pointing device. This may take longer than drawing by hand or be impractical
without sources of electrical power, so project completion deadlines or field circumstances
may ultimately dictate the recording method. Although three-dimensional imaging is the
gold standard for recording information, the current reality is that this technology remains
expensive or inaccessible for many researchers (see Moore [Chapter 14], this volume).
Observations are most effectively recorded if the bone under examination is not rolling or
pitching on the table. Many laboratories have cloth-covered tables (usually ticking fabric or
duck cloth), c. 8” x 8” square bean bags, or bean-filled cloth “donuts” for steadying such
material. These are usually homemade. However, if there are none available or to spare,
an easy ersatz solution is a sturdy zip-lock plastic bag or a tied-off tube sock filled with
pea gravel, dried rice, or dried beans. These bean bags are also effective for propping bones
under photo cloths when photographing.
THE
PHOTO KIT AND PHOTOGRAPHS/OTHER IMA
GES
Photograph all pathologies, even suspected ones. Scoring or severity protocols may
change or be refined over time. Without an objective photo record of the condition, scored
data may become unusable, particularly for intersite or interobserver comparisons. This
means a photographic tool kit is necessary. This includes a digital camera with a battery
system that allows nonstop photographing either by maintaining a cache of spare batteries
or alternately using a second rechargeable battery (the charger then being a photo kit essen-
tial), a millimeter scale, a soft brush (for keeping the lens dust free), a photographic back-
ground, a mini tripod, a large capacity image storage system (i.e., an external hard drive
or an Internet file hosting service), and perhaps extra (swing arm) lights. The camera must
be capable of good close-up photographs (a macro lens), have manual functions, and prefer-
ably have a large tiltable LCD view screen.
Good photographs are a function not just of the camera, but of the patience and expertise
of the photographer. Practice close-up shots BEFORE the project is undertaken and
remember to always use a (millimeter) scale or scalable object (e.g., a coin, a standard paper
clip) in the photo. Learn how the camera performs with and without the flash in low-light,
indirect lighting, or fluorescent versus incandescent lighting circumstances. This will enable
you to adjust the shoot location to meet the needs of the camera. If even breath-holding does
not eliminate camera shake (and the resultant fuzzy photo), use a small tripod. It may be
necessary to take several shots of the same view or position to get a sharp, crisp image.
Do not depend on the digital camera's LCD screen to verify that this was accomplished.
Periodically download the camera images to a computer and confirm the in-focus shots
on the computer screen. Note that the camera assigns a number to each image. Either
keep a log of the photo numbers for each case or as an alternative, make your first photo
of each case the place on the bone where the site and burial numbers have been permanently
inked. Should the skeletal material not have been so inventoried, use a small self-stick note
(ready and available in the tool box) to identify the individual (site number and burial
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For example, Adobe Illustrator or freeware such as
Paint.net
.
