Field Notes, Scene Field Notes, Scene Photography, and Photography, and Scene DiagrammingScene Diagramming

Field NotesField Notes

Spiral notebooks, case # and Date at top of pageSpiral notebooks, case # and Date at top of page Use KeywordsUse Keywords Write constantly-don’t commit anything to Write constantly-don’t commit anything to

memorymemory Detailed notesDetailed notes Time of arrivalTime of arrival Who dispatched to sceneWho dispatched to scene Location descriptionLocation description Your observationsYour observations Who you spoke withWho you spoke with What you learnedWhat you learned Exterior Scene ExamExterior Scene Exam

Why?Why?

Photos are backbone of what Photos are backbone of what forensics doforensics do

Photographs of evidence must be Photographs of evidence must be FAIR and ACCURATE FAIR and ACCURATE representations of the subject in representations of the subject in questionquestion

Photographs must be RELEVANT Photographs must be RELEVANT and UNBIASEDand UNBIASED

ApproachApproach

1. Identify the scene-slate or I.D. 1. Identify the scene-slate or I.D. card at start of rollcard at start of roll

2. Photograph from General to 2. Photograph from General to SpecificSpecific

3. Include Scales and Locator 3. Include Scales and Locator Symbols (symbols, location, and Symbols (symbols, location, and relationship)relationship)

4. Complete Photo Log4. Complete Photo Log

Scene DiagrammingScene Diagramming

Diagrams support photographic Diagrams support photographic documentationdocumentation

Diagrams are illustration of the crime Diagrams are illustration of the crime scene that accurately depict the scenescene that accurately depict the scene

Sketched and measurements are not Sketched and measurements are not meant to be exactmeant to be exact

Need to be true and accurate Need to be true and accurate representationsrepresentations

Should help someone not at the scene Should help someone not at the scene understand what happenedunderstand what happened

Scene diagramming Scene diagramming continuedcontinued Documents the true condition of Documents the true condition of

the scene and evidencethe scene and evidence It is the crime scene diagram that It is the crime scene diagram that

shows how the evidence is shows how the evidence is relatedrelated

Scene diagramming Scene diagramming serves to:serves to: Refresh memory/recall detailsRefresh memory/recall details Support or refute statementsSupport or refute statements Help others understandHelp others understand Prepare witnessesPrepare witnesses Assist in event reconstructionAssist in event reconstruction Provide basis for 3D modelsProvide basis for 3D models

Scene diagramming Scene diagramming approach (p. 16)approach (p. 16) Evaluate the sceneEvaluate the scene Determine diagramming Determine diagramming

requirementsrequirements Equipments needsEquipments needs

Scene Diagramming Scene Diagramming evaluationevaluation Nature of the crimeNature of the crime Indoor vs. outdoorIndoor vs. outdoor Size-furthest item of evidenceSize-furthest item of evidence Availability of Availability of

landmarks/reference pointslandmarks/reference points

Measurement methodsMeasurement methods

Baseline: locate items based on their distance Baseline: locate items based on their distance and compass direction in relation to reference and compass direction in relation to reference point (best method what we will do)point (best method what we will do)

Coordinate/rectangular: taken at right angles Coordinate/rectangular: taken at right angles from 2 perpendicular surfacesfrom 2 perpendicular surfaces

Triangulation: measured from two fixed Triangulation: measured from two fixed objects or know pointsobjects or know points

Polar coordinate: Locate objects based on their Polar coordinate: Locate objects based on their distance from a reference point and angle of distance from a reference point and angle of deviation from a 0 degree baselinedeviation from a 0 degree baseline

GPSGPS

Measuring approachMeasuring approach

Sketch layout of areaSketch layout of area Moveable items first (evidence Moveable items first (evidence

objects)objects) Detailed measurements second (doors Detailed measurements second (doors

and windows, permanent objects)and windows, permanent objects) Overall measurements last (protection Overall measurements last (protection

of evidence is first concern)of evidence is first concern)