DISADVANTAGES OF PHOTOS TO DISADVANTAGES OF PHOTOS TO RECORD CRIME SCENESRECORD CRIME SCENES

LACK DEPTHLACK DEPTH

FAIL TO PROVIDE ACCURATE FAIL TO PROVIDE ACCURATE REPRESENTATION OF DISTANCES REPRESENTATION OF DISTANCES BETWEEN ITEMS OF EVIDENCEBETWEEN ITEMS OF EVIDENCE

CAMERA ANGLE AND CAMERA ANGLE AND DISTANCE FROM WHICH DISTANCE FROM WHICH PHOTOGRAPH IS TAKEN PHOTOGRAPH IS TAKEN CAN LEAD TO FALSE CAN LEAD TO FALSE INTERPRETATION OF INTERPRETATION OF CRITICAL RELATIONSHIPS CRITICAL RELATIONSHIPS AMONG OBJECTSAMONG OBJECTS

THE ADVANTAGE OF THE ADVANTAGE OF USING SCENE SKETCHES USING SCENE SKETCHES

AND DETAILED DRAWINGS AND DETAILED DRAWINGS IS:IS:

• TO PROVIDE MORE TO PROVIDE MORE ACCURATE INFORMATION ACCURATE INFORMATION TO THE COURT ABOUT TO THE COURT ABOUT EVENTS WHICH OCCURRED EVENTS WHICH OCCURRED AT THE SCENEAT THE SCENE

SPO #1 MAKING A CRIME SCENE SKETCHSPO #1 MAKING A CRIME SCENE SKETCH

Draw a rough outline of the room or Draw a rough outline of the room or areaarea

Include the dimensions of Include the dimensions of the room or area drawnthe room or area drawn

Include distances between objects Include distances between objects shownshown

Include dimensions of Include dimensions of large pieces of furniturelarge pieces of furniture

Have another officer verify Have another officer verify your measurementsyour measurements

Show all measurements Show all measurements on the drawingon the drawing

Indicate location of all fixed Indicate location of all fixed objects:objects:

•   DoorsDoors• WindowsWindows• ShelvesShelves• PartitionsPartitions

Indicate, with numbers, the Indicate, with numbers, the location of all moveable objects location of all moveable objects and any object to be removed and any object to be removed from the scene:from the scene:

• LampsLamps• StatuesStatues• Large picturesLarge pictures• Pieces of furniturePieces of furniture

• Create a legend on the Create a legend on the sketch and include:sketch and include:

• Case numberCase number• Address of building or areaAddress of building or area• DateDate• Victim’s name, if knownVictim’s name, if known• Name of officer who made sketchName of officer who made sketch• Name of other officers presentName of other officers present• Type of crimeType of crime

• Indicate with arrow and the letter “N”, true North

• Include a disclaimer if “not to scale”• Include a Key of identified items• Record the method of

measurement, if necessary

SPO # 2 MAKING A DETAILED, SPO # 2 MAKING A DETAILED, FINAL DRAWINGFINAL DRAWING

INCLUDE A DISCLAIMER IF DETAILED INCLUDE A DISCLAIMER IF DETAILED DRAWING IS NOT TO SCALEDRAWING IS NOT TO SCALESTRAIGHTEN ALL LINES – USE STRAIGHTEN ALL LINES – USE TEMPLATETEMPLATEROUND ALL CIRCLES – USE TEMPLATEROUND ALL CIRCLES – USE TEMPLATETYPE ALL LABELS AND TYPE ALL LABELS AND MEASUREMENTSMEASUREMENTSCREATE A DRAWING IN A SIZE CREATE A DRAWING IN A SIZE EASILY DUPLICATEDEASILY DUPLICATEDUSE PERMANENT MARKER USE PERMANENT MARKER FOR DRAWINGFOR DRAWING