Aftermath Inc Crime Scene Cleanup | Trauma & crime scene clean up compliance
Chapter 2 - Documenting the Crime Scene
-
Upload
calvinshaw -
Category
Education
-
view
422 -
download
0
Transcript of Chapter 2 - Documenting the Crime Scene
![Page 1: Chapter 2 - Documenting the Crime Scene](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051006/587951641a28abb1418b5f85/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Chapter 2
Documenting the Crime Scene:
Note Taking, Photographing and Sketching
Hess 2-1
![Page 2: Chapter 2 - Documenting the Crime Scene](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051006/587951641a28abb1418b5f85/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Introduction
Hess 2-2
• 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
documentingevidence and presenting cases in court
• Often both photographs and sketches must accompany written notes to provide a clear picture of the crime scene
![Page 3: Chapter 2 - Documenting the Crime Scene](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051006/587951641a28abb1418b5f85/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
NOTE TAKING• When to take notes• What to record
Ask yourself specific questions
• Where to record notes
• How to take notes
Field Notes: The Basics
Hess 2-3
![Page 4: Chapter 2 - Documenting the Crime Scene](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051006/587951641a28abb1418b5f85/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
EFFECTIVE NOTES• Complete• Factual• Accurate• Specific
Hess 2-4
Continued
Characteristics of Effective Notes
![Page 5: Chapter 2 - Documenting the Crime Scene](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051006/587951641a28abb1418b5f85/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
EFFECTIVE NOTES• Legible• Clear• Arranged in chronological order• Well-organized
Hess 2-5
Characteristics of Effective Notes (Continued)
![Page 6: Chapter 2 - Documenting the Crime Scene](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051006/587951641a28abb1418b5f85/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
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
![Page 7: Chapter 2 - Documenting the Crime Scene](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051006/587951641a28abb1418b5f85/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
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
![Page 8: Chapter 2 - Documenting the Crime Scene](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051006/587951641a28abb1418b5f85/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
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
![Page 9: Chapter 2 - Documenting the Crime Scene](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051006/587951641a28abb1418b5f85/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF VIDEO• Advantages
Can show distances Audio capability
• Disadvantages Poor focusing Overusing the zoom Unintentional audio
Investigative Photography: An Overview (Continued)
Hess 2-9
![Page 10: Chapter 2 - Documenting the Crime Scene](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051006/587951641a28abb1418b5f85/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
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
![Page 11: Chapter 2 - Documenting the Crime Scene](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051006/587951641a28abb1418b5f85/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
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
![Page 12: Chapter 2 - Documenting the Crime Scene](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051006/587951641a28abb1418b5f85/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
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
![Page 13: Chapter 2 - Documenting the Crime Scene](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051006/587951641a28abb1418b5f85/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
TYPES• Crime scene• Surveillance• Aerial• Night• Laboratory• Mug shots• Lineup
Types of Investigative Photography
Hess 2-13
![Page 14: Chapter 2 - Documenting the Crime Scene](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051006/587951641a28abb1418b5f85/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
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
![Page 15: Chapter 2 - Documenting the Crime Scene](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051006/587951641a28abb1418b5f85/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
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
![Page 16: Chapter 2 - Documenting the Crime Scene](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051006/587951641a28abb1418b5f85/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
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
![Page 17: Chapter 2 - Documenting the Crime Scene](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051006/587951641a28abb1418b5f85/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
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
![Page 18: Chapter 2 - Documenting the Crime Scene](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051006/587951641a28abb1418b5f85/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
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)
![Page 19: Chapter 2 - Documenting the Crime Scene](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051006/587951641a28abb1418b5f85/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
TO SKETCH A SCENE• Observe and plan• Measure distances• Plot objects• Take notes• Use a legend and scale• Reassess the sketch
Steps in Sketching the Crime Scene
Hess 2-19
![Page 20: Chapter 2 - Documenting the Crime Scene](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051006/587951641a28abb1418b5f85/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
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
![Page 21: Chapter 2 - Documenting the Crime Scene](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051006/587951641a28abb1418b5f85/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
SCALE DRAWING OVERVIEW• Done in ink• Drawn to scale• Materials needed• Made at police station• Simple or complex
The Finished Scale Drawing
Hess 2-21
![Page 22: Chapter 2 - Documenting the Crime Scene](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051006/587951641a28abb1418b5f85/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
CAD• Benefits
Accuracy Repeatability Simplicity Speed Portability
Hess 2-22
Computer-Assisted Drawing
![Page 23: Chapter 2 - Documenting the Crime Scene](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051006/587951641a28abb1418b5f85/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
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
![Page 24: Chapter 2 - Documenting the Crime Scene](https://reader034.fdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051006/587951641a28abb1418b5f85/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
Summary
Hess 2-24
• Investigative notes and reports are critical parts of acriminal 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 areoften used