Crime Scene Documentation

1. Crime Scene Documentation August 21 2014

2. Crime Scene search patterns • Investigators often use geometric search patterns while • searching for evidence to ensure that no evidence is missed. • The type of search pattern depends on the scene.

3. Crime Scene search patterns

4. Crime Scene search patterns • Grid search patterns are very effective, but very time consuming

5. Crime Scene search patterns • Rarely used • Doesn’t work well with • physical barriers. • Sometimes used when only • investigator present.

6. Crime Scene search patterns • Works well in large, outdoor areas. • Often involves volunteers.

7. Crime Scene search patterns • Works well in buildings and with warrants searches.

8. Crime Scene search patterns • Think about the following, but DON’T say the answer out loud. When I ask, show me the correct answer with your fingers. • Investigators believe a body may have been dumped in a large field. What search pattern be used? • Spiral • Grid • Parallel • Zone

9. Crime Scene search patterns • Think about the following, but DON’T say the answer out loud. When I ask, show me the correct answer with your fingers. • Investigators believe a body may have been dumped in a large field. What search pattern be used? • Spiral • Grid • Parallel • Zone How do you know?

10. Crime Scene search patterns • Think about the following, but DON’T say the answer out loud. When I ask, show me the correct answer with your fingers. • A very high profile crime has been committed, and the police has been given a lot of resources and manpower to solve it. Which pattern is appropriate? • Spiral • Grid • Parallel • Zone

11. Crime Scene search patterns • Think about the following, but DON’T say the answer out loud. When I ask, show me the correct answer with your fingers. • A very high profile crime has been committed, and the police has been given a lot of resources and manpower to solve it. Which pattern is appropriate? • Spiral • Grid • Parallel • Zone How do you know?

12. Crime Scene search patterns • Think about the following, but DON’T say the answer out loud. When I ask, show me the correct answer with your fingers. • Police have a warrant to search a suspect’s car. Which pattern is appropriate? • Spiral • Grid • Parallel • Zone

13. Crime Scene search patterns • Think about the following, but DON”T say the answer out loud. When I ask, show me the correct answer with your fingers. • Police have a warrant to search a suspect’s car. Which pattern is appropriate? • Spiral • Grid • Parallel • Zone How do you know?

14. Crime Scene Notes • Investigators take detailed notes on all of the following: • Step-by-step description of every action taken by investigators. • Date, time, location, weather, environmental conditions • Description of crime • Location of evidence with reference to other fixed points • Names of all people on the scene, including authorized personnel, witnesses, victims

15. Example Note 1 What types of info do you see?

16. Example Note 2 What types of info do you see?

17. Crime Scene PHotos • The scene should be thoroughly photographed before • evidence collection. • Types of photos: • overall scene (exterior and interior) • midrange photos • close up • Use scales and placards with photos Start with the larger, exterior scene, and move interior and towards finer detail.

18. Photo Example 1 What type of photo is this? What other photos should be taken?

19. Photo Example 2 What type of photo is this? What else would be useful in this photo?

20. Crime Scene Videos • Crime scenes should be videotaped starting outside and moving in, all around the crime scene. • Important details (time, place, and objective descriptions should be included, • Other narration should be avoided. • Should not include members of the investigative team. Watch me!

21. Crime Scene Sketches • Rough sketches are done on the scene, and finished sketches are completed later. • Crime scene sketches should be labeled with: • A title • A legend with letters, etc., for key pieces of evidence • Compass direction • Whether to scale, and if so, what scale • Case number • Offense type • Location

22. Discuss with a partner:How do These differ?

23. Crime Scene Sketches • There are 3 basic methods for taking measurements: • Triangulation • Baseline • Polar Coordinates

24. Crime Scene Sketches • There are 3 basic methods for taking measurements: • Triangulation • Baseline • Polar Coordinates • In triangulation, • you measure the distance of • each piece of evidence from • 2 fixed points

25. Crime Scene Sketches • There are 3 basic methods for taking measurements: • Triangulation • Baseline • Polar Coordinates • In triangulation, • you measure the distance of • each piece of evidence from • 2 fixed points Evidence Fixed point Y Fixed point X

26. Crime Scene Sketches • There are 3 basic methods for taking measurements: • Triangulation • Baseline • Polar Coordinates • With baseline,you create a • line between two fixed points • and measure the distance of the • evidence from a right angle to the line Evidence Fixed point Y Fixed point X

27. Crime Scene Sketches • There are 3 basic methods for taking measurements: • Triangulation • Baseline • Polar Coordinates • With polar coordinates, you measure • the distance and compass direction • of evidence away from a wall Evidence 48o NE Wall X

28. Sketches – WE Do & You DO • We will make a rough, to-scale sketch of the room using graph paper. • Be sure to leave room for a legend, title, etc. • Measure room and create scale • Place boundaries & fixed points on sketch • Use each method to sketch one piece of evidence • You Do – Use each method to add in 3 more pieces of evidence • You Do – Complete legend

29. Homework – Enjoy your weekend! • Closure - • How did • Exit Ticket – Be sure your LEGEND is complete and turn in your sketch