Demonstrate the Process of Crime Scene Documentation
Demonstrate the process of crime scene documentation
Ceara Nicole Miller
Everest Online
Crime Scene Dynamics I - 1
CJE2640-12
Professor Ray Schweitzer
February 2, 2013
Demonstrate the process of crime scene documentation
In an Organized step by step approach Scene Documentation is one of the stages in the proper processing of a crime scene. The final results of a properly documented crime scene are the ability of others to take our finished product to use in either reconstructing the scene or the chain of events in an incident and our court room presentation. In documenting the scene there are actually 3 functions or methods used to properly document the crime scene. Those methods consist of written notes which will ultimately be used in constructing a final report, crime scene photographs, and a diagram or sketch. Consistency between each of these functions is paramount. The end purpose of documentation should be the successful notation of all observations made within the scene of the crime, which will ensure the individual engaged in the documentation efforts will best be able to recall the events in the future. Importantly, this information may be presented in court.
Note-taking at a crime scene is not as straightforward as it may seem. A CSI 's training includes the art of scientific observation. Whereas a layperson may see a large, brownish-red stain on the carpet, spreading outward from the corpse, and write down "blood spreading outward from underside of corpse," a CSI would write down "large, brownish-red fluid spreading outward from underside of corpse. When describing a crime scene, a CSI makes factual observations without drawing any conclusions. A crime scene sketch is a permanent record of the size and distance relationship of the crime scene and the physical evidence within it. The sketch serves to clarify the special information present within the photo-graphs and video documentation, because the other methods do not allow the viewer to
Ceara Nicole Miller
Everest Online
Crime Scene Dynamics I - 1
CJE2640-12
Professor Ray Schweitzer
February 2, 2013
Demonstrate the process of crime scene documentation
In an Organized step by step approach Scene Documentation is one of the stages in the proper processing of a crime scene. The final results of a properly documented crime scene are the ability of others to take our finished product to use in either reconstructing the scene or the chain of events in an incident and our court room presentation. In documenting the scene there are actually 3 functions or methods used to properly document the crime scene. Those methods consist of written notes which will ultimately be used in constructing a final report, crime scene photographs, and a diagram or sketch. Consistency between each of these functions is paramount. The end purpose of documentation should be the successful notation of all observations made within the scene of the crime, which will ensure the individual engaged in the documentation efforts will best be able to recall the events in the future. Importantly, this information may be presented in court.
Note-taking at a crime scene is not as straightforward as it may seem. A CSI 's training includes the art of scientific observation. Whereas a layperson may see a large, brownish-red stain on the carpet, spreading outward from the corpse, and write down "blood spreading outward from underside of corpse," a CSI would write down "large, brownish-red fluid spreading outward from underside of corpse. When describing a crime scene, a CSI makes factual observations without drawing any conclusions. A crime scene sketch is a permanent record of the size and distance relationship of the crime scene and the physical evidence within it. The sketch serves to clarify the special information present within the photo-graphs and video documentation, because the other methods do not allow the viewer to
References: M/SSgt Hayden B. Baldwin, Retired Illinois State Police." Crime Scene Processing Protocol. Illinois State Police, 22 Jan. 2011. Web. 03 Feb. 2013. http://www.feinc.net/cs-proc.htm "Protecting the Crime Scene N.p., 24 Jan. 2010. Web. 03 Feb. 2013. http://www.cienciaforense.com/Pages/CrimeScene/CollectionPreservationEvidence.htm Schiro, George. "Free Newsletter." Examination and Documentation of the Crime Scene. Louisiana State Police Crime Laboratory, 02 Sept. 2009. Web. 03 Feb. 2013. http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/evidenc2.html.