Crime Scene Documentation Information Page

Crime Scene Documentation

Documentation of the scene begins with the first responder. Police officers are taught the importance of taking notes from the time of arrival. The crime scene investigator documents the scene in the form of still and video photography. Sketches are completed at the scene to illustrate relationships between articles of evidence not easily depicted by photography. The following methods of crime scene documentation are used to provide an accurate representation of the scene.

Note Taking

It is important that the responding officers note the condition of the scene as it existed upon their arrival. Note taking should be continuously updated during the course of the investigation.

Investigator's notes might include such factors as:

Victim & Witness Statements

Who Was Present at The Scene

Lighting Conditions

Open Doors & Windows

Odors

Date & Time Indicators e.g. Newspapers, Mail

General Descriptions of The scene & Surrounding Area

Photography and Videography

The primary means of crime scene documentation is still photography. Police officers should have an understanding of the importance of keeping the scene preserved, and not moving anything until it is photographed. The photographer must be able to testify that the photograph is a true and accurate representation of the scene at the time the photograph was taken. Crime scene photographs should reveal a detailed, chronological story of the scene.

Sketching

Photographs may not always depict spatial relationships between objects; sketches are used to supplement photographs. Sketches can more easily depict the overall layout of the scene and the relationships between objects. Investigators usually complete hand-drawn, rough sketches while at the crime scene. These sketches contain all the necessary information for the investigator to subsequently complete a finalized version.

For courtroom presentation, hand drawn sketches may be converted using computerized programs such as computer aided design (CAD), which provide a dynamic, professional appearance.

Types of sketches may include:

Entire Scene - Complete Scene With Measurements

Bird's-Eye View – Overhead View of The Scene

Elevation Sketch

Cross Projection Sketch

Three Dimensional Sketch

(Information provided by the Department of Justice)

Looking For Something In Particular? Try Google Search

Go Back To The Crime Scene Info Page

Go From Crime Scene Documentation Back To The Home Page