Documentation and Crime Scene Investigation Notes

Documentation and Photography

• Major tasks include:
  • Photography.
  • Sketching and measurements.
  • Note taking.
• These tasks are time-consuming but crucial for creating a permanent record of the crime scene's condition and physical evidence.
• It's vital to document the location of everything pertaining to the crime scene and evidence at the time of discovery.
• Skills needed:
  • Problem-solving: Quickly analyze crime scenes and apply scientific methodologies to gather evidence.
  • Innovation: Find creative ways to access difficult or hidden evidence without destroying it.
  • Originality: Think beyond the obvious, as criminals may not be as intelligent as they believe.

Note Taking

• Essential for revisiting cases years later as an expert witness.
• Notes must be retained until the trial concludes or a sentence is given.
• Include the following:
  • Log of digital images (photography).
  • Observations, including descriptive notes and drawings.
  • Rough sketch of the crime scene.
  • Written record of all crime scene activities.
• Record the following identification information:
  • Notification time of the crime.
  • Arrival time at the scene.
  • Scene description (e.g., layout of the living room).
  • Victim description (e.g., male, female).
  • Crime scene team members.
  • Initial actions taken (survey).
  • Tasks assigned (sketching, measurements, photography).
  • Evidence identified with item numbers.
• Use a non-spiral, durable log book, like a composition book.

Digital Imaging (Photography)

• Captures and stores a record of the crime scene and physical evidence.
• Important for future analysis.
• Record the evidence number, reason for photographing the item, and why it's considered evidence.
• Be cautious of image manipulation; avoid excessive photoshopping.
• Manipulation is acceptable for enhancing specific evidence like fingerprints (using NINHYDRIN).
• Maintain original, unedited photos and create copies for manipulation.

Video Recording

• Some law enforcement agencies use video recording depending on the crime and detectives' request.
• Use a placard to identify the crime scene being recorded.
• Begin with the surroundings, showing the exterior and then the interior of the crime scene.
• Orient viewers to the location where the crime occurred.
• Limit the number of people present during recording to avoid distractions.
• Advantages of photography:
  • Instant access.
  • Integration of multiple pictures.
  • No film processing.
• Disadvantages:
  • Potential court admissibility issues due to concerns about manipulation.

Crime Scene Photography: Points of View

• Take pictures from different perspectives:

Overview

• General picture of the crime scene.
• Shows most characteristics, victim's position and location, and access points.
• Includes details to orient viewers, such as entrances, stairs, and furniture.
• Note details like a messy ottoman, different flooring types, and the location of the body.
• Example: An overview shot shows the entrance, stairs, a messy ottoman, carpet and flooring differences, the body, and an evidence tag (ET).

Midrange

• Smaller space still including important characteristics.
• Connects to the overview picture.
• Includes identifiable items and locations from the overview.
• Example: Midrange shot showing the ottoman, carpet, flooring, partially open door, and evidence tag. The victim is no longer visible.

Close-ups

• 90-degree picture of the evidence.
• Includes a ruler to show the size of the item.
• One close-up per evidence item unless multiple items are grouped together, then sub-numbers are used.
• Example: A close-up of a bullet casing next to a door, with a ruler for scale. The evidence tag is visible nearby.
• Move from big, mid, to small, focusing on location and the evidence item.

Sketching

• Final task after photography.
• Involves measuring the crime scene to create a proper perspective.
• Accurate measurements of evidence locations are crucial.
• Sketches aid in crime scene reconstruction by providing the location of items at the time of the crime.
• If a judge requests reconstruction, the sketch allows for similar items to be placed in the correct positions, creating a 3D image of the crime scene.

Types of Sketches

*Rough Sketch:
Initial sketch done at the crime scene with basic information and measurements.
*Final Sketch:
A polished, accurate drawing used for court presentation.

Perspectives

*Overhead/Bird's View:
Looking down from above, like from an airplane.
*Elevation/
Side View:
less commonly used, but shows a side perspective.

Techniques for Drawing a Sketch

• Four main methods:
  • Triangulation method.
  • Baseline method.
  • Polar coordinate method.
  • Rectangular method.
• All methods (except polar coordinates) use two fixed points.
• Fixed points should be immobile objects not easily disturbed (e.g., large trees, utility poles).
• Documentation must include a title, legend, and information about the case and the person who created the drawing.

Triangulation Method:

• Uses walls as fixed points.
• Measure the distance from two fixed points (corners of a wall) to the evidence.
• Forms a triangle between the two fixed points and the evidence to measure.

Baseline Method:

• Uses one side of the wall as a baseline.
• Measure the distance along the wall (baseline) and the distance from the wall to the evidence, forming an "L" shape.
• Maintain a right angle between the evidence and fixed points.

Polar Coordinates

• Uses a wall as a fixed point.
• Measure the distance and angle between the wall and the evidence.
• Note the polar coordinates to the north.
• This method is more complex.

Rectangular Method:

• Uses two walls as fixed points (A and B).
• Measure the distance between A to B completely.
• Measure the distance from point A to the evidence, then from point B to the evidence, forming a rectangle.
• Always include the north direction in the sketch.

*Rough Sketch: Includes:
Basic case information (victim, investigator, case number, type of case).
Measurements of walls and items inside.
Location of the body, wounds, and blood.
Measurements of furniture and other items.
Camera locations (witch hats) for overview pictures.
Midrange and close-up pictures of evidence.
Missing north direction.

• Final Sketch Looks like:
  Done by hand or using computer programs.
  Includes all necessary information, a legend for evidence, and a scale.
  Has accurate measurements, the north direction.
  Measurements of walls, furniture, and the location of the body, gun, and other evidence.
  Perfect compared to the (rough) ugly sketch.
  Crime Scene Mapping:
  Uses image technology and GPS to create 3D forensic maps.
  Used for cases needing highly detailed presentations.
  Documentation should be done at all times.

Crime Scene Searches

Conducted after documentation but prior to evidence collection.
Patterns:
strip, line, grid, zone, wheel, and spiral
Patterns depend on location and type of crime.
Field of testing:
Visualization and enhancement of reagents depends on evidence type.
Restriction of searches:
collectors depends on the number of collectors.

*Strip or Line Search:
Uses one or two collectors.
For large outdoor scenes.
Collectors go through the field in lines.
Establish the area beforehand.

*Grid Search:
Also for outdoor search.
Can be done by one or two people.
little more complicated because they (collectors) overlap the already searched location.
More time consuming if it’s just one person.

*Spiral Search Method:
Used when there isn’t any barrier.
Some use the body as the center of the search.
Establish numbering to maintain distance.

*Quadrant or Zone:
Used to define crime scene zones or large areas.
Can be in two modes:

• Defined zones:
  a house that has different rooms that need to be searched.
  *Smaller areas:
  divide into four, subdivisions in order to search

*Link:
Not geometric.
Follow the evidence link.
Smaller crime scenes that use the linkage between pieces of evidence
Use a line because one follows where the blood is telling them to go

*Wheel/Ray:
Used for smaller spaces that also specializes in collecting bullets or cartridges
More specialized for small spaces, because large spaces can get this pattern lost

Chain of Custody

• Chain of Custody Documentation:
  *Evidence Collection and Preservation: Ensure consistency with one evidence collector.
  Collection based on prioritzation: Transient before all evidence since it is easily lost

Collection Process

*Photograph, log evidence, include document location.
*Transport security: deliver transport into chain of custody to crime scene lab
*Chain of custody signatures- signature date and time- always to document
-Collection/ Preservation:
-Collection of evidence to consistent with one evidence collector.
-Transiant: fragile evidence: liquid, volatile, biological that need to be collected quickly
-Collection of controls and reference samples.

Packaging evidence:

Always seal evidence and tape are initialed with the documentar
Always initial- not staple the evidential enclosure
Heat seal- initial to be in heat seal
Gun has to secure loaded in a cardboard box- not packaged in paper bad- fire arm safety
Two evidence package separately and sealed appropriately- prevent cross contamination
DNA- packaged in paper- do not package in plastic always air dry/ protect sample
Evidence package with space not tightly packaged

Crime Scene Processing

• Determining or eliminating events.
• Interpreting evidence.
• Establishing laboratory testing.
• Systematic study of information.
• Formulating a logical potential scenario.

Macro Crime Scene Example:

• Multiple locations (garage, patio, bedrooms, living room, garden).
• Evidence varies by location (bullet casings, shoe impressions, blood droplets, white powder).
• Analysis includes asking questions:
  • Why isn't a blue cup considered for fingerprinting?
  • What caused scratches on the wall?
• Chapter Summary:

Key Points

• Materials, in a crime scene, that we use to understand crime-open-minded and innovative with crime and context.
• Evidence includes documentation, photography, videography, and sketches, all these notes will help establish the unbiased study for that case.
  *Combine the evidence to evaluate occurrence requires context, requires notes/photography- unbiased study
  *Scene investigation requires caution- and be emotionally ready