The Crime Scene SketchThe Crime Scene Sketch

IntroductionIntroduction The crime scene sketch:The crime scene sketch: Accurately portrays the physical factsAccurately portrays the physical facts Relates the sequence of events at the sceneRelates the sequence of events at the scene Establishes the precise location and relationship Establishes the precise location and relationship

of objects and evidence at the sceneof objects and evidence at the scene Creates a mental picture of the scene for those Creates a mental picture of the scene for those

not presentnot present Is a permanent record of the sceneIs a permanent record of the scene

The Crime Scene SketchThe Crime Scene Sketch

OverviewOverview A crime scene sketch assists in:A crime scene sketch assists in:

1) Interviewing and interrogating persons1) Interviewing and interrogating persons

2) Preparing an investigative report2) Preparing an investigative report

3) Presenting the case in court3) Presenting the case in court

The sketch supplements photographs, notes, The sketch supplements photographs, notes, plaster casts and other investigative techniques.plaster casts and other investigative techniques.

Two types of sketchesTwo types of sketches Rough sketchRough sketch Finished or scale sketchFinished or scale sketch

The Crime Scene SketchThe Crime Scene Sketch

The Rough SketchThe Rough Sketch The rough sketch is the first pencil-drawn The rough sketch is the first pencil-drawn

outline of the scene and the location of objects outline of the scene and the location of objects and evidence within this outline.and evidence within this outline.

Usually not drawn to scaleUsually not drawn to scale Although distances are measured and indicated Although distances are measured and indicated

in the sketchin the sketch Sketch after photographs are taken and before Sketch after photographs are taken and before

anything is moved.anything is moved. Sketch as much as possible.Sketch as much as possible.

The Crime Scene SketchThe Crime Scene Sketch

Sketching MaterialsSketching Materials PaperPaper PencilPencil Measuring tapeMeasuring tape RulerRuler ClipboardClipboard EraserEraser CompassCompass

The Crime Scene SketchThe Crime Scene Sketch

Steps in Sketching the Crime SceneSteps in Sketching the Crime Scene Observe and planObserve and plan Measure distancesMeasure distances Outline the areaOutline the area Locate objects and evidence within the outlineLocate objects and evidence within the outline Record detailsRecord details Make notesMake notes Identify the sketch with a legend and a scaleIdentify the sketch with a legend and a scale

The Crime Scene SketchThe Crime Scene Sketch

Measure and Outline AreaMeasure and Outline Area A steel tape is bestA steel tape is best It doesn’t stretchIt doesn’t stretch Use conventional units of measurementUse conventional units of measurement InchesInches FeetFeet CentimetersCentimeters MetersMeters

The Crime Scene SketchThe Crime Scene Sketch

Measure and Outline AreaMeasure and Outline Area North should be at the top of the paper.North should be at the top of the paper. Determine ScaleDetermine Scale Take the longest measurement at the scene and Take the longest measurement at the scene and

divide it by the longest measurement of the paper divide it by the longest measurement of the paper used for sketching.used for sketching.

½”= 1’small rooms½”= 1’small rooms ¼”= 1’large ¼”= 1’large (LG) (LG) roomsrooms

1/81/8”= 1’very LG rooms”= 1’very LG rooms ½”= 10’ LG buildings½”= 10’ LG buildings

1/81/8”= 10’large land area”= 10’large land area

The Crime Scene SketchThe Crime Scene Sketch

Measure and Outline AreaMeasure and Outline Area Measure from fixed locationsMeasure from fixed locations WallsWalls TreesTrees Telephone polesTelephone poles CornersCorners CurbsCurbs OutletsOutlets Any Immovable ObjectAny Immovable Object

The Crime Scene SketchThe Crime Scene Sketch

Plot Objects and EvidencePlot Objects and Evidence Plotting methods are used to locate Plotting methods are used to locate

objects and evidence on the sketch. objects and evidence on the sketch. They include the use of:They include the use of:Rectangular coordinatesRectangular coordinatesA baselineA baselineTriangulationTriangulationCompass points.Compass points.

The Crime Scene SketchThe Crime Scene Sketch

Rectangular CoordinatesRectangular Coordinates

Uses two adjacent walls as fixed points as Uses two adjacent walls as fixed points as distances are measured at right anglesdistances are measured at right angles

The Crime Scene SketchThe Crime Scene Sketch

Baseline MethodBaseline Method Run a baseline from one fixed point to Run a baseline from one fixed point to

another, from which measurements are another, from which measurements are taken at right angles.taken at right angles.

The Crime Scene SketchThe Crime Scene Sketch

TriangulationTriangulation Common in outdoor scenesCommon in outdoor scenes Uses straight-line measurements from two fixed Uses straight-line measurements from two fixed

objects to the evidence to create a triangle with objects to the evidence to create a triangle with evidence in the angle formed by two straight evidence in the angle formed by two straight lines.lines.

The Crime Scene SketchThe Crime Scene Sketch

Compass Point MethodCompass Point Method Uses a protractor to measure the angle Uses a protractor to measure the angle

formed by two linesformed by two lines

The Crime Scene SketchThe Crime Scene Sketch

Cross-Projection MethodCross-Projection Method Presents floors and walls as they were on one Presents floors and walls as they were on one

surface.surface.

The Crime Scene SketchThe Crime Scene Sketch

The LegendThe Legend Contains:Contains: Case numberCase number Type of crimeType of crime InvestigatorInvestigator Persons assistingPersons assisting Direction of NorthDirection of North Identifying information in sketch -KeyIdentifying information in sketch -Key ScaleScale

The Crime Scene SketchThe Crime Scene Sketch

22

' 8"

31' 4"2

2' 8

"

31' 4"

LEGEND

Hoods

LabTables

Doors

Sink

FireExtingh

Comp.Stn

4' 0"4' 0"

4' 0"4' 0"

2' 0"2' 0"

Windows

Cabinets

LabStool

Lab Sink

BlackBoard

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The Crime Scene SketchThe Crime Scene Sketch

The Crime Scene SketchThe Crime Scene Sketch

Auto Accident ReconstructionAuto Accident Reconstruction

The Crime Scene SketchThe Crime Scene SketchOther Sketch FeaturesOther Sketch Features

The Crime Scene SketchThe Crime Scene SketchOther Sketch FeaturesOther Sketch Features

The Crime Scene SketchThe Crime Scene SketchOther Sketch FeaturesOther Sketch Features

The Crime Scene SketchThe Crime Scene SketchOther Sketch FeaturesOther Sketch Features

The Crime Scene SketchThe Crime Scene SketchMore Advanced Sketch Program FeaturesMore Advanced Sketch Program Features