What equipment is essential for photographing a scene at night or in low light conditions?

The essential equipment for photographing a scene at night or in low light conditions is a tripod. When shooting in low light, longer exposure times are often necessary to capture enough light for a clear image. A tripod provides stability and prevents camera shake during these extended exposure times, resulting in sharper images. Without a tripod, even minor movements while taking the photograph can blur the image, leading to loss of important details in the crime scene documentation.

While other options such as a handheld camera or time exposure techniques can be used, they do not inherently provide the stability needed for the best results in low light. Low ISO film can be useful, but it does not address the shaking that can occur during a shot. Therefore, the tripod is the critical piece of equipment to ensure clarity and accuracy when documenting scenes in these challenging lighting conditions.