Unit 3: Crime Scene Processing 3.3 Documentation

Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 2 SEARCH METHODS  Line or strip method—best in large, outdoor scenes  Grid method—basically a double-line search; effective, but time-consuming  Zone method—most effective in houses or buildings; teams are assigned small zones for searching  Wheel or ray method—best on small, circular crime scenes  Spiral method—may move inward or outward; best used where there are no physical barriers

Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 3 DOCUMENTATION  Photography—  Sketches—  Videography—allows narration (non-subjective) to be included

Crime Scene Notes date and time, description of the location, weather and environmental conditions, description of the crime, location of the evidence relative to other key points, the names of all people involved, modifications that have occurred other relevant information

Field Notes Spiral notebooks, case # and Date at top of page Use Keywords Write constantly-don’t commit anything to memory Detailed notes Time of arrival Who dispatched to scene Location description Your observations Who you spoke with What you learned Exterior Scene Exam

Photography Photos are backbone of what forensics do Photographs of evidence must be FAIR and ACCURATE representations of the subject in question Photographs must be RELEVANT and UNBIASED

Photography photos of scene and surroundings, mid-range to close-up photos with various angles of each piece of evidence, photos as viewed by any witnesses.

Photo Sequence 1. Identify the scene-slate or I.D. card at start of roll 2. Photograph from General to Specific 3. Include Scales and Locator Symbols (symbols, location, and relationship) 4. Complete Photo Log

Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company9 CRIME SCENE SKETCH Date: August 14, 2005Criminalist: Ann Wilson Time: 11:35 amLocation: 4358 Rockledge Dr, St. Louis, Mo. N

Scene Diagramming Diagrams support photographic documentation Diagrams are illustration of the crime scene that accurately depict the scene Sketched and measurements are not meant to be exact Need to be true and accurate representations Should help someone not at the scene understand what happened

Scene diagramming serves to: Refresh memory/recall details Support or refute statements Help others understand Prepare witnesses Assist in event reconstruction Provide basis for 3D models

Scene diagramming continued Documents the true condition of the scene and evidence It is the crime scene diagram that shows how the evidence is related

Crime Scene Drawings  inclusion of date, time,  scale,  cardinal directions,  reference points,  distance measurements,  names of investigators,  victims,  suspects,  and a legend (key)

Scene diagramming approach Evaluate the scene Determine diagramming requirements Equipments needs

Scene Diagramming evaluation Nature of the crime Indoor vs. outdoor Size-furthest item of evidence Availability of landmarks/reference points

Measurement methods Baseline: locate items based on their distance and compass direction in relation to reference point (best method what we will do) Coordinate/rectangular: taken at right angles from 2 perpendicular surfaces Triangulation: measured from two fixed objects or known points Polar coordinate: Locate objects based on their distance from a reference point and angle of deviation from a 0 degree baseline GPS

Measuring approach Sketch layout of area Moveable items first (evidence objects) Detailed measurements second (doors and windows, permanent objects) Overall measurements last (protection of evidence is first concern)