Chapter 2

Documenting the Crime Scene: Note Taking, Photographing and Sketching

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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

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NOTE TAKING• When to take notes• What to record

Ask yourself specific questions

• Where to record notes• How to take notes

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Field Notes: The Basics

EFFECTIVE NOTES• Complete• Factual• Accurate• Specific

Continued

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Characteristics of Effective Notes

EFFECTIVE NOTES• Legible• Clear• Arranged in chronological order• Well-organized

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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

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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

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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

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Investigative Photography: An Overview

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF VIDEO• Advantages

Can show distances Audio capability

• Disadvantages Poor focusing Overusing the zoom Unintentional audio

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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

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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

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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

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Training in and Using Investigative Photography

TYPES• Crime scene• Surveillance• Aerial• Night• Laboratory• Mug shots• Lineup

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Types of Investigative Photography

EVIDENCE MAINTENANCE• Identifying

Include backing information

• Filing Cross-reference by case number Follow department policy

• Maintaining security

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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File the Sketch

SCALE DRAWING OVERVIEW• Done in ink• Drawn to scale• Materials needed• Made at police station • Simple or complex

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The Finished Scale Drawing

CAD• Benefits

Accuracy Repeatability Simplicity Speed Portability

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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

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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

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