Chapter 3 - Recording the Crime Scene

Taking Notes of Evidence

• location

• condition

• was it moved/disturbed

• packaging

• field testing

Taking Notes of a Victim (if applicable)

• state of body (decomp)

• positioning

  • have they been moved? (either themselves or following their death)

• visible wounds

• blood spatter

  • indication of weapon

  • direction/speed

• identifying features

• objects on body

• preliminary ID

Rules for Photo Admissibility

• must represent the crime scene as found

• any re-creations/manipulation must be documented

  • when a body or other objects must be moved to collect further evidence

• must have bearing on the case

• must not engage in emotional manipulation of the jury

Rules for Digital Photos

• must be reliable

• must be reproducible

• must be secured and integrity ensured

• both original and altered images and their meta data must be made available

• photography submitted with testimony of photographer

Basic Guidelines of Crime Scene Photography

• photograph scene in unaltered condition

• fill the frame

• avoid shadows

• maximize depth of field

  • context

• photograph in logical sequence

  • take in the whole scene, then focus on smaller parts

• keep/save meta data

• keep a log

Composition of Crime Scene Photos

• take overview, medium-range, and close-up photos

  • close-ups with scales at 90 degree angle

• body/wound pictures in logical order (general to specific)

  • wounds with reference to body

  • beneath body after removal