1. Chapter 2 Documenting the Crime Scene: Note Taking, Photographing and Sketching1-

2. Introduction 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 documenting evidence and presenting cases in court
Often both photographs and sketches must accompany written notes to provide a clear picture of the crime scene 1-

3. Field Notes: The Basics
NOTE TAKING
When to take notes
What to record
Ask yourself
specific questions
Where to record notes
How to take notes
Learning Objective:
Do you know why notes are important in an investigation?
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.
Do you know when to take notes?
Start taking notes as soon as possible after receiving a call to respond and continue recording information as it is received throughout the investigation.
Do you know what to record in investigative notes?
Record all information that helps to answer the questions Who? What? Where? When? How? and Why? 1-

4. Characteristics of Effective Notes
Complete
Factual
Accurate
Specific
Continued
Learning Objective:
Do you know what the characteristics of effective notes are?
Effective notes are complete, factual, accurate, specific, legible, clear, arranged in chronological order and well-organized. 1-

5. Characteristics of Effective Notes (Continued)
Legible
Clear
Arranged in chronological order
Well-organized
Learning Objective:
Do you know what the characteristics of effective notes are?
Effective notes are complete, factual, accurate, specific, legible, clear, arranged in chronological order and well-organized. 1-

6. Filing Notes 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
Learning Objective:
Do you know where to file notes if they are retained?
If notes are retained, file them in a secure location readily accessible to investigators. 1-

7. Admissibility of Notes in Court
LEGAL APPLICATIONS
Can help discredit a suspect’s or a defense witness’s testimony
Support evidence already given
Strengthen testimony
Defend against false allegations 1-

8. Investigative Photography: An Overview
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
Learning Objective:
Do you know what purposes are served by crime scene photography?
Photographs and video recordings reproduce the crime scene in detail for presentation to the prosecution, defense, witnesses, judge and jury in court and are used in investigating, prosecuting and police training.
Do you know what the advantages and disadvantages of using photography are?
Advantages of photographs: They can be taken immediately, accurately represent the crime scene and evidence, create interest and increase attention to testimony.
Disadvantages of photographs: They are not selective, do not show actual distances and may be distorted and damaged by mechanical errors in shooting or processing. 1-

9. Investigative Photography: An Overview (Continued)
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF VIDEO
Advantages
Can show distances
Audio capability
Disadvantages
Poor focusing
Overusing the zoom
Unintentional audio
Learning Objective:
Do you know what the advantages and disadvantages of using videography are?
Advantages of videos: They accurately represent the crime scene and evidence, are able to show distance more clearly than photos and have sound capability to more fully document what is being seen.
Disadvantages of videos: Many people mistakenly believe that no training in videotaping is necessary, which leads to poor video quality and a diminished value in the video’s documentation of the crime scene. 1-

10. Basic Photographic Equipment
MINIMUM PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT
Instant-print cameras
Point-and-shoot cameras
Digital single-lens reflex
(DSLR) cameras
Fingerprint cameras
Video cameras
Accessories
Learning Objective:
Do you know what the minimum photographic equipment for an investigator is?
At a minimum, have available and be skilled in operating a Polaroid-type instant-print camera, a point-and-shoot camera, a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera, a fingerprint camera and video equipment. 1-

11. Training in and Using Investigative Photography
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
Learning Objective:
Do you know what to photograph at a crime scene and in what sequence?
First, photograph the general area, then specific areas and finally specific objects of evidence. Take exterior shots first because they are the most subject to alteration by weather and security violations. 1-

12. Training in and Using Investigative Photography
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
Learning Objective:
Do you know what errors in technique to avoid?
Take photographs and videos before anything is disturbed. Avoid inaccuracies and distortions. 1-

13. Types of Investigative Photography
Crime scene
Surveillance
Aerial
Night
Laboratory
Mug shots
Lineup
Learning Objective:
Do you know what types of photography are used in criminal investigations?
Types of investigative photography include crime scene, surveillance, aerial, night, laboratory, lineup and mug shot. 1-

14. Identifying, Filing and Maintaining Security of Evidence
EVIDENCE MAINTENANCE
Identifying
Include backing information
Filing
Cross-reference by case number
Follow department policy
Maintaining security 1-

15. Admissibility of Photographs in Court
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
Learning Objective:
Do you know what basic rules of evidence photographs must adhere to?
Photographs must be material, relevant, competent, accurate, free of distortion and noninflammatory. 1-

16. Crime Scene Sketches: An Overview
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
Learning Objective:
Do you know what purposes are served by the crime scene sketch?
A crime scene sketch assists in (1) interviewing and interrogating people, (2) preparing the investigative report and (3) presenting the case in court. 1-

17. The Rough Sketch 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 plans
Continued
Learning Objective:
Do you know what should be sketched?
Sketch all serious crime and crash scenes after photographs are taken and before anything is moved. Sketch the entire scene, the objects and the evidence. 1-

18. The Rough Sketch (Continued)
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
Learning Objective:
Do you know what materials are needed to make a rough sketch?
Materials for the rough sketch include paper, pencil, long steel measuring tape, carpenter-type ruler, straightedge, clipboard, eraser, compass, protractor and thumbtacks. 1-

19. Steps in Sketching the Crime Scene
TO SKETCH A SCENE
Observe and plan
Measure distances
Plot objects
Take notes
Use a legend and scale
Reassess the sketch
Learning Objective:
Do you know what steps to take in making a rough sketch?
Observe and plan.
Measure distances and outline the area.
Plot objects and evidence within the outline.
Take notes and record details.
Identify the sketch with a legend and a scale.
Reassess the sketch.
Do you know how plotting methods are used in sketches?
Plotting methods are used to locate objects and evidence on the sketch. These methods include the use of rectangular coordinates, a baseline, triangulation and compass points. 1-

20. File the Sketch 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 1-

21. The Finished Scale Drawing
SCALE DRAWING OVERVIEW
Done in ink
Drawn to scale
Materials needed
Made at police station
Simple or complex 1-

22. Computer-Assisted Drawing
CAD
Benefits
Accuracy
Repeatability
Simplicity
Speed
Portability 1-

23. Admissibility of Sketches and Drawings in Court
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
Learning Objective:
Do you know when a sketch or a scale drawing is admissible in court?
An admissible sketch is drawn or personally witnessed by an investigator and accurately portrays a crime scene.
A scale drawing also is admissible if the investigating officer drew it or approved it after it was drawn and if it accurately represents the rough sketch. The rough sketch must remain available as evidence. 1-

24. Summary
Investigative notes and reports are critical parts of a criminal 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 are often used 1-