1. Documenting a Crime Scene

2. Note Taking Forces investigators to be more observant Forces investigators to be more observant Should detail every step you took while at the crime scene Should detail every step you took while at the crime scene Necessary information in notes: Necessary information in notes: Date, time, description of the location, weather, description of the crime, location of evidence relative to key points, names of people involved Date, time, description of the location, weather, description of the crime, location of evidence relative to key points, names of people involved Also include written description of physical evidence, location, time of discovery and packaging Also include written description of physical evidence, location, time of discovery and packaging

3. Guidelines for Note Taking Take notes in pen in bound notebook Take notes in pen in bound notebook Cannot erase pen Cannot erase pen Number pages consecutively before taking notes in notebook Number pages consecutively before taking notes in notebook Shows that pages have not been removed or destroyed Shows that pages have not been removed or destroyed Draw a single line through mistakes (do not completely mark through mistake) Draw a single line through mistakes (do not completely mark through mistake) Initial and date each page Initial and date each page Notes can be used as evidence in trial Notes can be used as evidence in trial

4. Why Sketches? Complete rough sketch at scene; make final copy after leaving Complete rough sketch at scene; make final copy after leaving Sketches give perspective to photographs taken at crime scene Sketches give perspective to photographs taken at crime scene Record relationships of different points of interest in a crime scene Record relationships of different points of interest in a crime scene Important details: Important details: Date and time, scale, reference points, distance measurements, names of investigators, victims and suspects, and a legend Date and time, scale, reference points, distance measurements, names of investigators, victims and suspects, and a legend

5. Sketch Terms Definitions: Definitions: Measurements: length of each wall, piece of furniture, size of evidence, distance from fixed points to pieces of evidence Measurements: length of each wall, piece of furniture, size of evidence, distance from fixed points to pieces of evidence Compass directions: shows the direction of north Compass directions: shows the direction of north Scale of proportion: each object in the room should be relatively proportionate to the length of walls (ex. Couch should not take up more room along a wall in sketch as compared to reality) Scale of proportion: each object in the room should be relatively proportionate to the length of walls (ex. Couch should not take up more room along a wall in sketch as compared to reality) Title: the location of the sketch, date and time, case # (DOB), person drawing the sketch Title: the location of the sketch, date and time, case # (DOB), person drawing the sketch Legend/Key: evidence represented by numbers, fixed points and large objects represented by letters (do not use I and O) Legend/Key: evidence represented by numbers, fixed points and large objects represented by letters (do not use I and O)

6. Example of Rough Sketch

7. How to 1. draw perimeter (boundaries) wall 1. draw perimeter (boundaries) wall 2. draw items (evidence, victim, reference points) 2. draw items (evidence, victim, reference points) 3. Measure actual crime scene, make notes on rough sketch 3. Measure actual crime scene, make notes on rough sketch

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10. example

12. Need to add walls?

13. Drawing Location of Objects Several different methods: Several different methods: Rectangular coordinates: Using a straight line between two points (one point must be fixed), measure once in the same direction as the line and once perpendicular to the line Rectangular coordinates: Using a straight line between two points (one point must be fixed), measure once in the same direction as the line and once perpendicular to the line

14. Door to Hallway Door to Bathroom Nightstand Lamp Nightstand Lamp Dresser TV Blood

15. Drawing Location of Objects Several different methods: Several different methods: Straight line: measurements are taken from fixed points to either side of the object Straight line: measurements are taken from fixed points to either side of the object

16. Drawing Location of Objects Several different methods: Several different methods: Transecting baselines: lay a measuring tape from 2 fixed positions; evidence is measured from the baseline at 90 degrees (usually used outside) Transecting baselines: lay a measuring tape from 2 fixed positions; evidence is measured from the baseline at 90 degrees (usually used outside)