About the Author

Lieutenant Rita Y. Shuler was supervisory special agent of the Forensic Photography Department of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) for twenty-four and a half years. She interfaced with the attorney general’s office, solicitors and investigators, providing photographic evidence assistance in the prosecution of thousands of criminal cases.

Her interest in photography started as a hobby at the age of nine with a Kodak brownie camera.

Before her career as forensic photographer, she worked in the medical field as a radiologic technologist for twelve years. Her interest in forensic science evolved when she x-rayed homicide victims to assist with criminal investigations.

Shuler received her basic police training and certification as a law enforcement officer for the state of South Carolina at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy in Columbia, South Carolina, and received her advanced specialized law enforcement photography training at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

Shuler holds a special love for the South Carolina Lowcountry and enjoys walking, beaching, crabbing, fishing and shark tooth hunting. She resides in Johns Island, South Carolina.