Shooting Poachers on Site : Reflections on the Use of Photography in Active Offender Research

Hill, Joanna and Potter, Gary (2022) Shooting Poachers on Site : Reflections on the Use of Photography in Active Offender Research. In: Qualitative Research in Criminology : Cutting-Edge Methods. Springer, Cham, pp. 179-195. ISBN 9783031184000

Abstract

Criminology is still coming to terms with the opportunities – and challenges – related to the use of photo-ethnographic methods in researching active offenders. Photography provides a range of methodological opportunities, including as a tool for building rapport, for data collection and analysis, and as a component of the dissemination of research findings. However, it also poses significant ethical challenges, particularly in relation to active offenders, vulnerable populations, and cultural sensitivities. While the literature exploring the benefits of photographic methods in criminology has expanded significantly in recent years, reflection on ethical issues and other limitations is less well developed. This chapter explores the use of photography as an ethnographic tool in active offender research in the context of our experiences of conducting research into illegal hunting in Uganda. It outlines the ways in which taking photos contributed to data collection and analysis and the generation of substantive research findings. It also reflects on the ethical considerations of photography as a method in this context, including the risk of harm to research participants and the (vulnerable) populations they represent. Our conclusion is that while the use of photography in ethnographic research of active offender populations should be embraced by researchers, caution should be employed in how photos are used – particularly as a component of publication.