Chapter 4

Crime Scene Sketch

T
he crime scene sketch is an invaluable aid in recording

Crime Scene Sketch 4

investigative data. It is a permanent record that provides
supplemental information that is not easily accomplished
with the exclusive use of crime scene photographs and notes.
A crime scene sketch depicts the overall layout of a location
and the relationship of evidentiary items to the surroundings. It
can show the path a suspect or victim took and the distances
involved. It can be used when questioning suspects and
witnesses. During trial, the crime scene diagram correlates
the testimony of witnesses and serves as a tool for relaying
reference and orientation points to the prosecutor, judge and
jury.

I. Sketching the Crime Scene

Before beginning a sketch, obtain a comprehensive view of the
scene. Determine the sketch limits – decide what to include
and what to exclude. If the scene is complicated, a number of
sketches may be necessary for adequate documentation.

Types of Sketches
• Overview sketch – consists of a bird’s-eye-view or floor plan
sketch of the scene. This is the most common type of sketch
and consists of items on the horizontal plane (see Figure
4-1).
• Elevation sketch – portrays a vertical plane rather than a
horizontal plane. Examples include bloodstain patterns on
vertical surfaces such as walls or cabinetry and bullet holes
through windows (see Figure 4-2).
• Exploded view or cross-projection sketch – consists of a
combination of the first two sketches. It is similar to a floor
plan except the walls have been laid out flat and objects on them
have been shown in their relative positions (see Figure 4-3).
• Perspective sketch – depicts the scene or item of interest in three

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Crime Scene Sketch 4
dimensions. It is the most difficult sketch to create and
requires some artistic skill (see Figures 4-4 and 4-5).

Fig. 4-1 Overview sketch of an exterior crime scene.

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 Crime Scene Sketch
Fig. 4-2 Elevation sketch illustrating a blood trail.

Fig. 4-3 Exploded view sketch of a bathroom.

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Crime Scene Sketch 4

Fig. 4-4 Perspective sketch of the passenger side of a vehicle.

Fig 4-5 Perspective sketch illustrating suspected blood spatter on a

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 Crime Scene Sketch
revolver.
To Scale or Not to Scale
• “Drawn to Scale” diagrams
o To avoid a distorted view of the scene, measurements
must be reduced in proportion so that they bear correct
relationship to each other.
o Select the scale of the diagram by fitting the longest
dimension in the scene to the area of the paper being
used.
o Graph paper should be used when creating this type
of sketch. Each block represents a specified length of
measurement. Use convenient units for the scale (one
block = 1 foot).

• “Not to Scale” diagrams

o Sketch can be accomplished more quickly than a scaled

4
diagram.
o Items are placed in the diagram based on approximation.
This type of diagram may provide a distorted view of the
scene. Correct proportions and relationships between
objects may not be maintained.
o Measurements are recorded on the sketch or in a chart.
o This rough sketch may be used to complete a scaled
diagram later.
o These diagrams should be clearly marked Not to Scale.

Equipment
• Supply of writing implements – pencils may be used for the
overall sketch. A sketcher may choose to use red pencils
to denote bloodstains, and highlighters or other colored
pencils to mark different types of evidence on the sketch.
Preserve a pencil created sketch in a permanent manner
as soon as possible. A good method for preservation is to
photocopy the finished sketch and include the photocopy
with the original.

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Crime Scene Sketch 4
• Blank paper – graph paper, while not essential, simplifies
scale drawing.
• Drawing surface such as a clipboard.
• Measuring devices – tape measures are the most common
tool used and should be at least 50 to 100 feet long. Other
measuring devices may include a surveyor’s wheel, a laser
rangefinder, or a Total Station. GPS coordinates may be
useful in locating an outdoor scene.
• Ruler for drawing straight lines, drawing to scale, and
making very short measurements.
• Magnetic compass to determining true north.

Creating the Sketch

• If the scene is large, make a very rough sketch of the area
while obtaining an over-all view of the scene. This initial
rough sketch serves as a reference when making more
complete sketches. Enlarged sections of this rough sketch
can be made as separate drawings in order to bring out
greater detail.
• Begin taking measurements and laying out a rough sketch.
o Lay down a baseline. This usually consists of the longest
uninterrupted side of a room or, if outdoors, the curb line,
building line, or even an imaginary line between two fixed
points.
o Take other measurements of the periphery of the scene
and add them to the baseline.
o Having established the outer boundaries of the sketch,
add various objects in their proper positions.
• Measurements – write them down!
o Measurements can be recorded directly on the sketch or
in a chart.
o Long distances may be measured with the odometer on
an automobile.
o Critical measurements should be checked by two people.
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 Crime Scene Sketch
Locating Objects on a Sketch
All points require two measurements for a two-dimensional
sketch. Three measurements are required for a perspective (3-
D) sketch.
• Rectangular coordinates – an object (item 1, see Figure 4-6)
is located by making a measurement at right angles from
each of two walls. Works well for indoor measurements.

4
Fig. 4-6 Item 1 is located using rectangular coordinates.

• Transecting baseline - particularly useful in large, irregularly

shaped outdoor areas.
o Transect the crime scene by laying down a tape measure
along some
convenient line so it crosses the entire area
(blue line, see Figure 4-7).
o Locate this line in the diagram from fixed points at the
scene.
o Locate objects in the crime scene by measuring their
distance from
this established baseline. Measurements must be taken
at right
angles to the tape.
o Record how far along the baseline the distance out to the

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Crime Scene Sketch 4
object was measured. This provides the two measurements
needed to locate the object.

Fig. 4-7 Transecting Baseline. The blue transecting baseline AB is between

two trees (trees can be marked with orange paint for later identification).
The two measurements needed for each point are (1) how far each item
is from the baseline (green lines north and south) and (2) how far east on
the blue baseline from point A the objects are (distance to where the green
lines intersect the blue). (This is for illustration. Additional measurements
would be collected for the body and the dock.)

• Triangulation – measurements are taken from two fixed

points at the scene to the object you desire to locate. For
example, item 1 in Figure 4-8 is located by taking measure-
ments (length of the green lines) from two corners of the
building.

Fig. 4-8 Triangulation. Item 1 is located using triangulation from the two
corners of the building.

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 Crime Scene Sketch
Illustrating the Sketch
• Do not attempt to draw an object as it appears. Use symbols
instead.
• Use lettered or numbered squares, circles, figures, or points
to represent various objects in the sketch. Explain in the
diagram key what these objects represent.
• If photography markers are used, ensure they correspond to
same objects in the sketch. For example, if photo marker #5
is used to mark a handgun, make sure the handgun in the
sketch is labeled #5.
• Label all doors and windows. Show with a curved line which
way the door swings.
• Use an arrow to show the direction of the stairway.
• Use jagged lines to cut off unnecessary height or length.

Labeling the Sketch

The following should be recorded on the sketch:

4
• Address or location of scene.
• Case number.
• Date sketch was made and by whom.
• A key to identify the different objects in the sketch.
• An arrow to show the direction of north.
• Scale used for the sketch or the statement “Not to Scale”.

II. Computer Based Programs

Several CAD based programs are commercially available and
can be used to create professional and accurate crime scene
diagrams.

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Crime Scene Sketch 4

Fig. 4-9 Diagrams created using The Crime Zone™ software* and used with
permission of The CAD Zone, Inc.

Fig. 4-10 Diagrams created using The Crime Zone™ software* and used
with permission of The CAD Zone, Inc.

These types of programs can be used at the scene to record

measurements and generate sketches or used at the office
using rough sketch(es) created at the scene to generate
sketches.

III. Latest Technology

Portable devices now exist that can perform a 360° scan of
a crime scene in as little as 20 minutes, capturing millions of
measurements of all objects visible to the scanner. Dozens of
high-resolution images are captured automatically. The device
requires only the space needed by a standard photographer’s

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 Crime Scene Sketch
tripod. The data generated can be used to find the distance
between any two points in the scene, to view the scene from any
vantage point (including directly overhead), and to create a full-
color, 3D model for investigative and courtroom purposes.
The National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of
Excellence (FTCoE) at RTI International directed an effort with
criminal justice system communities, law enforcement, industry,
and forensic input to conduct a landscape study of 3D laser
scanning instruments. The study was summarized, is soon to
be posted by FTCoE, and was located at commercial websites in
abridged and complete forms at the time of this publication (see
Leica’s abridged version and Riegl USA’s complete version*).
*Note: The Laboratory does not endorse any one software
program or device over another, nor does it endorse any one
vendor over another.

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Notes

58 Physical Evidence Handbook