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Chapter 2
Documenting the Crime Scene: Note Taking, Photographing and Sketching
Hess 2-1
Introduction• Documentation is vital throughout an investigation• As much as 70 percent of an investigator’s job is
consumed by paperwork and writing• Photography plays an important role in documenting
evidence and presenting cases in court• Often both photographs and sketches must accompany
written notes to provide a clear picture of the crime scene
Hess 2-2
NOTE TAKING• When to take notes• What to record
Ask yourself specific questions
• Where to record notes• How to take notes
Hess 2-3
Field Notes: The Basics
EFFECTIVE NOTES• Complete• Factual• Accurate• Specific
Continued
Hess 2-4
Characteristics of Effective Notes
EFFECTIVE NOTES• Legible• Clear• Arranged in chronological order• Well-organized
Hess 2-5
Characteristics of Effective Notes (Continued)
RETAINING NOTES• Place them in a secure location• Place them under a filing system• Make them available months or even years later• Policy usually determines where and how notes are
filed• Many officers retain notes indefinitely
Hess 2-6
Filing Notes
LEGAL APPLICATIONS• Can help discredit a suspect’s or a defense witness’s
testimony• Support evidence already given• Strengthen testimony• Defend against false allegations
Hess 2-7
Admissibility of Notes in Court
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF PHOTOS• Advantages
Can be taken immediately Accurately represent the crime scene
• Disadvantages Detail may distract viewers Small nuances or discrete evidence may be missed
Continued
Hess 2-8
Investigative Photography: An Overview
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF VIDEO• Advantages
Can show distances Audio capability
• Disadvantages Poor focusing Overusing the zoom Unintentional audio
Hess 2-9
Investigative Photography: An Overview (Continued)
MINIMUM PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT• Instant-print cameras • Point-and-shoot cameras• Digital single-lens reflex
(DSLR) cameras • Fingerprint cameras • Video cameras • Accessories
Hess 2-10
Basic Photographic Equipment
WHAT TO PHOTOGRAPH OR VIDEOTAPE• Plan shots that least disturb scene• Use overlapping to cover entire scene• Long-range shots of the locality• Medium-range shots of the immediate crime scene • Close-range shots of specific evidence
Hess 2-11
Training in and Using Investigative Photography
ERRORS TO AVOID• Be familiar with your equipment• Maintain proper perspective• Show the objects in their relative size and position• Take pictures from eye level• Checklists help eliminate errors
Hess 2-12
Training in and Using Investigative Photography
TYPES• Crime scene• Surveillance• Aerial• Night• Laboratory• Mug shots• Lineup
Hess 2-13
Types of Investigative Photography
EVIDENCE MAINTENANCE• Identifying
Include backing information
• Filing Cross-reference by case number Follow department policy
• Maintaining security
Hess 2-14
Identifying, Filing and Maintaining Security of Evidence
CRITERIA• Must meet specific criteria to be admissible in court
A material photograph relates to a specific case and subject
A relevant photograph helps explain testimony A competent photograph accurately represents what it
purports to represent
Hess 2-15
Admissibility of Photographs in Court
SKETCHES AS INVESTIGATIVE AIDS• Accurately portrays the physical facts• Relates to the sequence of events• Precise location and relationship of objects • Helps create a mental picture of the scene • Permanent record of the scene• Usually admissible in court
Hess 2-16
Crime Scene Sketches: An Overview
WHAT TO SKETCH• Better to include too much rather than too little• Do not include irrelevant objects• Area to be sketched depends on the crime scene
Large scene Small area
• Original floor plansContinued
Hess 2-17
The Rough Sketch
SKETCHING MATERIALS• The first pencil-drawn outline of a scene• Paper of any type will do• Keep two or three pencils on hand• Use a measuring tape for measuring long distances• Use a compass to determine true north
Hess 2-18
The Rough Sketch (Continued)
TO SKETCH A SCENE• Observe and plan• Measure distances• Plot objects• Take notes• Use a legend and scale• Reassess the sketch
Hess 2-19
Steps in Sketching the Crime Scene
FILING OVERVIEW• Place rough sketch in a secure file• May be used later to question witnesses or suspects• Keep the rough sketch in its original form • May be needed for testifying later
Hess 2-20
File the Sketch
SCALE DRAWING OVERVIEW• Done in ink• Drawn to scale• Materials needed• Made at police station • Simple or complex
Hess 2-21
The Finished Scale Drawing
CAD• Benefits
Accuracy Repeatability Simplicity Speed Portability
Hess 2-22
Computer-Assisted Drawing
ADMISSIBILITY ISSUES• Investigator must be prepared to testify about:
Information contained in the sketch Conditions under which it was made The process used to construct it
• Well-prepared sketches and drawings help people visualize crime scenes
Hess 2-23
Admissibility of Sketches and Drawings in Court
Summary• Investigative notes and reports are critical parts of a
criminal investigation
• Record all relevant information concerning the crime
• Photography has become increasingly important in criminal investigation
• Videos are now well established as an investigative tool
• In addition to photographs, crime scene sketches are often used
Hess 2-24
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