Unusual one - clinical photography lighting

[Swisstony10]

This is very slightly out of my usual comfort zone - I've been asked by an insurance firm to take some clinical photographs of injuries and scarring for evidence in a court case.

Obviously, accurate colour rendition is the most important thing here, but I'm very slightly concerned about the light. Most clinical photography seems to be done with a ring-fllash, but I don't have one, and I can't find anywhere to rent one from locally without me making a loss.

Has anyone ever done any clinical photography (anyone here, I mean - obviously I know that someone has done some at some point) - what alternative lighting can I employ? Currently I'm thinking of a 580EX, off camera but very close, through a white brolly to make the lighting as flat as possible...

[zona5101]

i have not built one of these but it looks very promising...
The Feral Photographer: The Pocket Ringlight

[LeeR]

The primary purpose for a ring light is that is nearly eliminates shadows, which in a clinical setting is what you want. I used to work in a print shop where we made plates from artwork using a huge camera (it took up two rooms!) We needed the artwork to be as flat as possible and we needed perfectly even lighting. The even lighting was accomplished by having two equal lights on either wide of the artwork at about 45 degree angles to it. I have seen flash brackets that will allow you to do this. Setting up this way should give you very even, flat and extremely accurate lighting.