Crim Justice 2 report
deefer
chapter_2crimescenepp.pptxLyman, Criminal Investigation, 9e
Chapter 2: The Crime Scene: Field Notes, Documenting, and Reporting
© 2014 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All Rights Reserved
1
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
The proper structure of a police report begins with the initial complaint, followed by the details of the crime.
Crime scene photography and videography should include close-up, medium range, and general views.
Field notes begin when an investigator gets to the scene and are used in recalling memory.
Capturing a crime scene on digital video requires recording the perimeter followed by walking closer and closer to the specific objects.
The crime scene sketch contains distance measurements as well as information on the case and officer identification.
CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
© 2014 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All Rights Reserved
2
Outline the proper structure of a police report
Learning Objectives
After this lecture, you should be able to complete the following Learning Outcomes
2.1
3
Elements of a Police Report
4
2.1
Who the officer was met by at the crime scene
What the officer found at the scene
What the officer did at the scene (e.g., administered first aid, notified immediate supervisor)
Description of injuries to victim or suspect
Type of weapon used
Description of all evidence
Names and identifiers of all suspects arrested
Names of all witnesses
Copies of written statements given by witnesses
4
Structure of a Police Report
The Initial Complaint
Type of crime
Date
Case number
Officer’s name
Suspect’s name and address
Victim
Synopsis of crime
Details of crime
Attachments
5
2.1
5
Steps in Report Writing
6
2.1
Proofread and evaluate the report
Prepare the report
Organize the information
Take complete notes
Collect information about the crime scene, informants, and witnesses
6
Aspects of Report Writing
7
2.1
Official reports should exhibit the following:
Factuality
Thoroughness
Getting to the point
Accuracy and objectivity
Proper word choice
7
Explain the proper methods of crime scene photography and videography
Learning Objectives
After this lecture, you should be able to complete the following Learning Outcomes
2.2
8
2.2
Photo Two Label
Photo Three Label
Photography Methods
General Views
Medium- Range Views
Close-Up Views
Overall scenes
Show crime scene in its own environment
Taken at a distance to reveal natural surroundings
Taken at a distance no greater than 20 feet
Depict location of item in crime scene
Different lens can be used
Taken at a distance no less than 5 feet
Include small segments of larger surfaces
Taken with and without a ruler to show perspective
Crime Scene Photography and Videography
9
2.2
Crime Scene Photography and Videography
Crime Scene Photographs
Benefits
Provide easy storage and retrieval of data on the crime scene.
Remove many inferences by practically placing the judge and jury at the crime scene.
Give the investigator a source of reference as to the location of evidence at the scene.
Disadvantages
Do not show true or actual distances.
Can distort color and perceptions.
Can be ruined by mechanical errors in processing.
10
2.2
Crime Scene Photography and Videography
Tips
Photograph the crime scene in a timely fashion. This should typically precede most other tasks of the crime scene processing.
Record all camera angles and settings on the crime scene sketch.
Keep a photographic log.
11
2.2
Crime Scene Photography and Videography
Tips
To depict the entire area of interior scenes, overlap photos from one scene to the next and work in one direction around the room.
Either use a tripod or keep the camera at eye level.
12
2.2
Crime Scene Photography and Videography
Perspective
Show the relationship between items of evidence by showing the location of the items in accordance with recognizable backgrounds.
When an item to be photographed is smaller than 6 inches, take two photos:
At close range
From at least 6 feet away
13
2.2
Crime Scene Photography and Videography
Suitable Lighting
As a rule, natural light at the scene is inadequate for and artificial lighting is required.
Avoid all unnecessary shadows, since shadows tend to hide details.
Since the part of the photo closest to the flash may be washed out (and details lost), strategically use floodlights to ensure consistent illumination.
14
2.2
Crime Scene Photography and Videography
Use of Markers
Measuring (or other identifying) devices in photos can include rulers, tapes, and coins.
Take a photo of the area before placement of the marker; then take a second photo of the same setting after the marker is in place.
15
2.2
Crime Scene Photography and Videography
Some markings can be made with chalk to show specific locations of objects such as bodies, footprints, and weapons.
Ink markings made on the surface of photographs after they have been printed.
Alternatively, a transparent overlay (containing all necessary arrows, circles, etc., to depict relevant information) may be placed over a photo.
16
2.2
Crime Scene Photography and Videography
Videography Methods
Video recording should precede the taking of still photographs.
Use a slow panorama of the crime scene, recording from the extreme perimeters.
Use a tripod or keep the video at eye level.
17
Explain how field notes are taken and used by an investigator
Learning Objectives
After this lecture, you should be able to complete the following Learning Outcomes
2.3
18
2.3
Field notes begin when the officer gets called to the crime scene.
Most information can be learned by asking who, what, when, where, why, and how.
Field Notes
19
20
Field Note Essentials
2.3
Field Notes
Dates, times, and locations
Description of victim
Wounds on the victim
Overall description of the crime scene
Notes on photographs taken
Type and location of evidence
Absence of items
20
2.3
Sample Crime Scene Field Notes
© 2014 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All Rights Reserved
21
2.3
Example of Field Notes and Other Information Typically Documented at a Crime Scene
© 2014 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All Rights Reserved
22
Understand how to properly capture the crime scene on digital video
Learning Objectives
After this lecture, you should be able to complete the following Learning Outcomes
2.4
23
Capturing the Crime Scene
2.4
Record the perimeter, walking closer and closer to the specific objects in question.
Use the freeze-frame feature to allow viewers to stop the recording at a critical point for a closer view of the subject being documented.
Make individual photographs directly from digital video which could be useful to the investigation.
Digital Video
24
Explain the proper methods of crime scene sketching
Learning Objectives
After this lecture, you should be able to complete the following Learning Outcomes
2.5
25
Finished
Completed sketch drawn to scale
Rough
Drawn by officers at the crime scene
2.5
Sketch
Types
26
Crime Scene Sketching
26
2.5
Sketching Essentials
Investigator’s name and rank
Date, time, crime, case number
Names of other officers
Location of crime scene
Scale of drawing
Physical evidence
Key legend
Crime Scene Sketching
27
2.5
28
Crime Scene Sketching
Triangulation Method
Measuring an object using fixed objects, in an outdoor crime scene where there is no easily identifiable point of reference
Cross-Projection Method
Measuring an indoor crime scene, using a top-down view with the walls for the room folded down
Coordinate Method
Measuring an object from two fixed points of reference using a baseline in which a line is drawn between two known points
28
2.5
Baseline or Coordinate Method
© 2014 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All Rights Reserved
29
2.5
Cross-Projection Method
© 2014 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All Rights Reserved
30
2.5
Triangulation Method
© 2014 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All Rights Reserved
31
2.1
2.2
Police reports should include who the officer encountered at the crime scene, what was found there, what the officer did there, a description of injuries to the victim or suspect, the type of weapon used, a description of all evidence, names/identifiers of all suspects and witnesses, and copies of written statements given by witnesses.
Crime scene photographs provide easy storage and retrieval of data on the crime scene, effectively place the judge and jury at the crime scene, and give the investigator a source of reference as to the location of evidence at the scene. Although markers should be used, photographs do not show true distances, can distort color and perceptions, and can be ruined by errors in processing.
CHAPTER SUMMARY
© 2014 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All Rights Reserved
32
2.3
2.4
2.5
Field notes begin when the officer gets called to the crime scene. Most information can be learned by asking who, what, when, where, why, and how.
When recording the crime scene on video, record the perimeter, walking increasingly closer to the objects in question.
Officers draw rough sketches at the crime scene, while finished sketches drawn to scale are created later. Sketches may employ the baseline/coordinate method, the cross-projection method, or the triangulation method.
CHAPTER SUMMARY
© 2014 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All Rights Reserved
33
