Field Notes, Scene Photography, and Scene Diagramming

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

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

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

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

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

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

Scene diagramming approach (p. 16) Evaluate the scene Evaluate the scene Determine diagramming requirements Determine diagramming requirements Equipments needs Equipments needs

Scene Diagramming evaluation Nature of the crime Nature of the crime Indoor vs. outdoor Indoor vs. outdoor Size-furthest item of evidence Size-furthest item of evidence Availability of landmarks/reference points 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) 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 Coordinate/rectangular: taken at right angles from 2 perpendicular surfaces Triangulation: measured from two fixed objects or know points Triangulation: measured from two fixed objects or know points Polar coordinate: Locate objects based on their distance from a reference point and angle of deviation from a 0 degree baseline Polar coordinate: Locate objects based on their distance from a reference point and angle of deviation from a 0 degree baseline GPS GPS

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