Documenting The Crime Scene
Documenting The Crime Scene
Documenting The Crime Scene
Scene
Getting Started
Record Information
Who?
What?
Where?
When?
How?
Why?
Field Notes
Investigative notes are a permanent
written record of the facts of a case to be
used in further investigation, in writing
reports, and in prosecuting the case.
Detailed notes can make or break a
conviction.
How to Take Notes
Don’t include words such as: a, and, and
the
Use standard abbreviations such as
mph, DWI, and Ave
Advantages of Photographs
They can be taken immediately
They accurately represent the crime
scene and evidence
They create interest and increase
attention to testimony
Disadvantages of Photographs
They are not selective
They do not show actual distances
They may be distorted and damaged by
mechanical errors in shooting or
processing
Common Photographic
Equipment
35mm
Digital camera
Instant print camera
Fingerprint camera
Video equipment
Advantages of Digital Cameras
Elimination of time and expense involved
in developing photographic film
Quickly adaptable as e-mail attachments
Easily incorporated into written reports
Record information about each
photograph
Consistency
What to Photograph
Long-range pictures of the locality
Medium-range pictures of the immediate
crime scene and objects of evidence
within the area or room
Close-range pictures of specific
evidence
Photogrammetry
Refers to the 3-D measurements of the real
world directly from photographs for use in
courts
Can accurately locate and measure any object
appearing in two or more photographs
Can automatically orient photographs taken
from awkward angles
Can correct camera misalignment
Types of Investigative
Photography
Surveillance Photography
Aerial Photography
Night Photography
Laboratory Photography
Mug Shots
Lineup Photographs
Types of Laboratory
Photography
Microphotography- takes pictures through a
microscope
Macrophotography- enlarges a subject
Laser-beam photography- reveals evidence
indiscernible to the naked eye
Ultraviolet-light photography- uses the low end
of the color spectrum to make visible
impressions of bruises and injuries long after
their actual occurrence
What to Photograph
Take sufficient photographs to
reconstruct the scene.
Such as:
• The Entrance Point
Relevant
Competent
Accurate
Free of Distortion
Non-inflammatory
Crime Scene Sketches
Accurately portray the physical facts
Relate to the sequence of events at the scene
Establish the precise location and relationship
of objects at the scene
Help create a mental picture of the scene
Permanent record of the scene
Usually admissible in court
Crime Scene Sketches
• Sketch all serious crime and crash
scenes after photographs are taken and
before anything is moved.
Assists in:
• Interviewing and Interrogating people
Time
Step Six: Reassess the Sketch
BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE SCENE
• Make sure nothing has been overlooked