Criminal Justice 2011

Chapter 2:The Crime Scene:

Field Notes,Documenting, and Reporting

Criminal InvestigationThe Art and the Science

by Michael D. LymanCopyright 2011

2.1 Explain the ways that field notes can be used to assist the investigator in the preparation of his or her report.2.2 Learn the proper structure of the report.2.3 Explain the proper methods of crime scene photography and preservation of photographic evidence.2.4 Understand how to properly capture the crime scene on digital video.2.5 Understand the usefulness of the rough and finalizing the crime scene sketch.

CHAPTER SUMMARY

Explain the ways that field notes can be used to assist the investigator in the preparation of his or her report.

Learning ObjectivesAfter this lecture, you should be able to complete the following Learning Outcome

2.1

Field Notes 2.1

Investigators must take DETAILED notes

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Field Notes 2.1

The time to take notes… As the events occur

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Field Notes 2.1

Police reports are derived from notes taken at the scene…

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Who is involved

What was the

motivation

How did it happen

The elements of the offense

A sketch of the scene ifappropriate

What happened

When did it occur

Where did it occur

Notes should contain…

Field Notes 3.4

Field Notes 2.1

Victim Suspect Witnesses

Reporting Persons and

Others involved

Learn the proper structure of the report.

Learning ObjectivesAfter this lecture, you should be able to complete the following Learning Outcome

2.2

The Police Report 2.2

Structure and Format

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The Police Report 2.2

List of all evidence

Statements made by victims,

witnesses and suspects

How the suspect was identified

Names, DOBs,

addresses, phone

numbers of all involved

Explain the proper methods of crime scene photography and preservation of photographic evidence.

Learning ObjectivesAfter this lecture, you should be able to complete the following Learning Outcome

2.3

2.3

Crime Scene Photography

Authenticated Relevant

To be admitted into evidence… Photographs must be

What to Photograph 2.3

What happened

Where did it happen

How did it happen

What specifically

was involved

2.3

Example of a Photo Log

Understand how to properly capture the crime scene on digital video.

Learning ObjectivesAfter this lecture, you should be able to complete the following Learning Outcome

2.4

2.4

Use the same basic

principles as when

photographing a scene

Do not narrate the

scene

Pan very slowly and avoid using

zoom or transition features

Understand the usefulness of the rough and finalizing the crime scene sketch.

Learning ObjectivesAfter this lecture, you should be able to complete the following Learning Outcome

2.5

Complete a

scaled diagram

Create a rough

sketch

Locate the

items to be

included

Measure the

scene

Steps to Create a Crime Scene Sketch2.5

2.5

Example of a rough sketch

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2.5

Tools for Sketching

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Using laser

stationsBaseline

Triangulation

Coordinate

Different Measuring Methods for the Crime Scene Sketch2.5

Example of the Baseline Method 2.5

Example of the Triangulation Method 2.5

Example of the Cross Projection Method 2.5

Example of the Baseline Method 2.5

Creating the Finished Drawing 2.5

Computer Programs

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2.1 Explain the ways that field notes can be used to assist the investigator in the preparation of his or her report.2.2 Learn the proper structure of the report.2.3 Explain the proper methods of crime scene photography and preservation of photographic evidence.2.4 Understand how to properly capture the crime scene on digital video.2.5 Understand the usefulness of the rough and finalizing the crime scene sketch.

CHAPTER SUMMARY