Crime Scene Documentation. Crime Scene Documentation. Taking the C.S. What should my notes include. Note Taking 9/26/2013

Transcription

1 Crime Scene Documenttion Crime Scene Documenttion Most importnt step in C.S. processing Purpose: permnently record the condition of C.S. & physicl evidence Time consuming Documenter must be orgnized nd systemtic Necessry components: note tking, videogrphy, photogrphy, & sketching Tking the C.S. Written record of FACTS No opinions, nlysis, or conclusions Notes tken s ctivity is being completed Wht should my notes include Notes tken during initil nd subsequent investigtions Generl guideline to consider: who, wht, when, where, how Note Tking Notifiction informtion Method of notifiction Informtion received Arrivl informtion Mens of trnsporttion Personnel scene Any notifictions to be mde Scene description Wether Loction type nd condition Mjor structures Identifiction of trnsient & conditionl evidence Points of entry/exit Continers holding evidence of recent ctivities Clothing Furniture Wepons (if present) 1

2 Victim description After the ME/coroner Position Lividity Wounds Clothing Jewelry Identifiction (presence or bsence) Crime scene tem Assignments to tem members Wlk-through informtion Beginning & ending times Evidence-hndling results Videotping the C.S. Benefit: 3D portryl of C.S. Should follow scene survey Video tper must remin objective Do not tpe crime scene tem or equipment No nrrtion & no udio discussion of subjective info Effective Videotping Process 1. Introduce the video Cse # Loction Videogrpher nme Printed plcrd or spoken 2. Begin with the scene surrounding Rods to & from scene Generl views of scene Use four compss points s guide 3. Generl orienttion of the scene -orienttion of evidence items in reltion to whole scene -wide-ngle views followed by close-up -smooth trnsitions = don t jump from item to item 4. Victim viewpoint -tpe four compss points wy from victim 5. Cmer techniques -smooth movements -use tripod/monopod -dditionl lighting (esp. for inside) -review tpe before leving scene nd reshoot if necessry 6. Originl video -do NOT edit or chnge -mke copies Photogrphing the C.S. Purpose: True & ccurte pictoril record of the C.S. & physicl evidence Records initil C.S. condition Provides investigtors/others w/ record tht cn be nlyzed or exmined during subsequent investigtions Permnent record for legl concerns 2

3 Photogrphing the C.S. Normlly done fter videogrphy or fter preliminry scene survey Systemtic, orgnized method for recording C.S. nd pertinent physicl evidence Proceed from generl to specific guidelines Orienttion of entire C.S., orienttion of evidence within the scene, exmintion qulity photogrphs ll the photos to be nlyzed wy from scene. Keep photo log Order of Exmintion Qulity Photogrphs Generl or Overll Photos Close-up Photos Midrnge Photos How mny photos should you tke? Crime Scenes re like snowflkes! There is no set number When in doubt: SHOOT! Photo Log must include: Time & dte the photogrph ws tken The roll number/sd crd number The exposure number The cmer setting (i.e. f-stop, shutter speed) Indiction of distnce to subject Type of photogrph tken Brief description Cmer (35-mm) Norml lens (50-60 mm) Close-up lens with ccessories Electronic flsh with cord Tripod/monopod Film (color nd blck & white) Bsic Equipment Lbel mterils (crds, pens, mrkers) Scles or rulers Flshlight Extr btteries Photo log sheets Color Wheel Sketching the Crime Scene Assignment of units of mesurements or correct perspective to the overll scene nd the relevnt physicl evidence identified within the scene Two bsic types Rough sketches Finl or finished sketches 3

4 Rough Sketch Finished or Finl Sketch Sketching the Crime Scene Types of perspective 1. Bird s eye view sketch (k overhed sketch) 2. Elevtion or side view sketch 3. Cross-projection sketch- combintion of 1. & D sketches- rre 5. Scle models- rre C.S. Sketch Techniques Bsed on identifying two, strting fixed points nd subsequent mesurements of the C.S. re in reltion to those points Fixed points Permnent or known points i.e. building corners, in-ground survey mrkers, lrge trees, utility poles C.S. sketch documenttion Title or cption Legend of bbrevitions, symbols, numbers, or letters Compss designtion Scle used (if drwn to scle) Documenttion block with cse number, offense type, victim nmes, loction, scene description, dte nd time of sketch beginning, sketcher s nme 4

5 C.S. Sketches C.S. Mesurement Techniques Tringultion Bse line (fixed line) Polr coordintes Tringultion Points X & Y re fixed. Evidence & b re mesured from X & Y X Y b Bse Line Points X & Y re fixed Evidence & b re mesured long the line X-Y right ngles to the line X-Y Polr Coordintes Object is distnce from wll X nd is 30 degrees Southwest A trnsit or compss is used to mesure the ngles N 30 o b Wll X Digitl the C.S. Digitl imging tools complement trditionl video nd still photogrphy Advntges Instnt ccess to imges Esy integrtion into existing electronic technologies No need for expensive film processing equipment nd drkrooms Disdvntges Court dmissibility b/c of esy imge mnipultion Written & implemented policies nd invesitgtor testimonil cn counterct 5