Criminal Investigation Ch 2 The Crime Scene Field

Criminal Investigation Ch. 2 The Crime Scene: Field Notes, Documenting, and Reporting

Chapter Objectives 1. Explain what specific field notes should be taken during a criminal investigation. 2. Identify the qualities of a good investigative report. 3. Identify the main components of a fact sheet or initial complaint. continued on next slide

Chapter Objectives 4. Explain the correct methods for photographing the crime scene. 5. Summarize the legal precedents for the admissibility of photographs as evidence in court. 6. Determine what types of information should be included in a photographic log. continued on next slide

Chapter Objectives 7. Explain the types of photography commonly used in criminal investigations. 8. Describe how crime-scene sketches are made.

Learning Objective 2. 1 Explain what specific field notes should be taken during a criminal investigation.

Field Notes • The note-taking process begins as soon as the officer gets a call to the scene of a crime. • Notes should be complete and well organized. • Most information can be learned with asking questions who, what, when, where, why, and how. continued on next slide

Field Notes • Essential information in field notes § § § § Dates, times, and locations Description of victim Wounds on victim Description of crime scene Notes on photos taken at the scene Type and location of evidence Absence of items continued on next slide

Field Notes • Field interview cards § Used when happening upon people or circumstances that appear suspicious but are not a sufficient cause for arrest § Document pertinent information and filed for future reference

Learning Objective 2. 2 Identify the qualities of a good investigative report.

The Investigative Report • The official police report is the backbone of the criminal prosecution process. • Official reports should be factual, thorough, and to the point. continued on next slide

The Investigative Report • Steps in report writing § Collect information about the crime scene, informants, and witnesses. § Take complete notes. § Organize the information. § Prepare the report. § Proofread and evaluate the report.

Learning Objective 2. 3 Identify the main components of a fact sheet or initial complaint.

Fact Sheet Components • Information included in an initial complaint § § § Type of crime Date Case number Officer's name Suspect's name and address continued on next slide

Fact Sheet Components • Information included in an initial complaint § § § Victim Witnesses Synopsis of crime and investigation Details of crime and investigation Attachments

Learning Objective 2. 4 Explain the correct methods for photographing the crime scene.

Photographing the Crime Scene • Authentication § Photo must be accurate and correct. § Testimony by the photographer or someone who was at the scene • Relevance to the case and supportive of testimony continued on next slide

Photographing the Crime Scene • Digital images must be handled with special care and consideration to preserve their integrity as evidence. § Initially stored on removable media such as SD cards and memory sticks § As soon as possible within reason, images moved to a CD or other protected media to create a "master disc" continued on next slide

Photographing the Crime Scene • Digital images must be handled with special care and consideration to preserve their integrity as evidence. § Master disc must be safely maintained until such time as there is an official determination that there is not future need for the images. continued on next slide

Photographing the Crime Scene • Advantages and disadvantages of photographs § Advantages • Provide easy storage and retrieval of data on the crime scene • Remove many inferences • Give the investigator a source of reference continued on next slide

Photographing the Crime Scene • Advantages and disadvantages of photographs § Disadvantages • Do not show true or actual distances • Can distort color and perceptions • Can be ruined by mechanical errors in processing continued on next slide

Photographing the Crime Scene • Crime scene photos taken in three phases § General view § Medium-range view § Close-up view

Learning Objective 2. 5 Summarize the legal precedents for the admissibility of photographs as evidence in court.

Photo Legality • • Material photograph Relevant photograph Prejudicial images Distorted photograph

Learning Objective 2. 6 Determine what types of information should be included in a photographic log.

Photographic Log • Information in the photographic log § § § Type of case Description of subject of photo Location Names of persons handling evidence Assigned case number Any other relevant information

Learning Objective 2. 7 Explain the types of photography commonly used in criminal investigations.

Photography Types • Surveillance photography is used covertly in criminal investigation. • Surveillance photography is also used as a deterrent for offenders. • Night vision technology helps overcome difficulties with low light settings.

Learning Objective 2. 8 Describe how crime-scene sketches are made.

Crime-Scene Sketch • • Measure the scene. Locate items to be included. Create a rough sketch. Complete a scaled diagram. continued on next slide

Crime-Scene Sketch • Rough sketch § Drawn by officers at the crime scene § Generally not to scale but should reflect accurate dimensions and distances between objects of importance continued on next slide

Crime-Scene Sketch • Finished sketch § Completed sketch drawn to scale § Often prepared by professional draftsperson or with use of specially designed computer programs continued on next slide

Crime-Scene Sketch • Measuring methods § Coordinate/baseline § Triangulation § Cross-projection

Chapter Summary • An investigator's field notes are his or her most personal and readily available record of the crime-scene search. • The police report is the formal record of the offense and a record of investigative steps taken to solve the crime. continued on next slide

Chapter Summary • The fact sheet, or initial complaint, includes suspect information as well as a summary of the circumstances surrounding a case. • Photos of the crime scene should include general, medium-range, and close-up views, and be preserved so they are admissible in court. continued on next slide

Chapter Summary • Trial courts bear the responsibility of admissibility of photographs as evidence in court. • It is critical for investigators to log their photos carefully to ensure the integrity of the investigation. continued on next slide

Chapter Summary • Photography is commonly used in covert criminal investigations as well as crime-scene investigations. • The crime-scene sketch can show certain details better than a photograph.