(CSI) Recording the Scene Lesson

Recording the Scene

Crime scenes must be documented throughout the investigation with photography, videography and sketches. This documentation is vital to the investigation as well as the court case because it helps those not present at the crime scene, such as jurors, to better understand where the evidence originated. It is also often used to refer back to once the crime scene has been released from police custody and new information or leads are found.

Photographing the Crime Scene

While there are several other methods of recording the crime scene such as videography, sketching or 3D scanning; photography is perhaps the most common. Photographs capture the crime scene as it is at that moment and are very useful in showing the orientation of the evidence in a crime scene. Crime scene photography takes training and skill to obtain quality photos useful in investigations. When documenting a crime scene by photograph:

Crime Scene Sketch

Photography has limitations, so sketches of the crime scene are also critical. A crime scene sketch is a simple visual tool that can clearly highlight the orientation and location of evidence without the cluttered appearance that photographs can sometimes impart. Crime scene sketches are one of two types:

Rough Sketch

First sketch completed at a crime scene. It is a pencil-drawn outline of the scene and location with markings where the fundamental evidence or objects are located in the crime scene. It is not usually drawn to scale, but distances are marked and indicated on the sketch. This sketch is usually completed after photographs are made, but before any evidence or objects are moved.

Finished or Scale Sketch

The final copy of the sketch which is an accurately scaled sketch of the crime scene and its fundamental components and evidence. Scaled sketches use standard units of scale such as ¼ " per 1 foot in a large room. When making a final sketch, North must always be at the top of the page and the scene is then oriented from that point in the sketch. A final sketch scene is always oriented from fixed points or locations such as trees, walls, telephone poles, curbs or other immovable objects.

Videography of the Crime Scene

While photographs and sketches are extremely valuable, the crime scene is often also documented on video. Videography provides an overview of the crime scene and is almost always used in major cases as an additional scene documentation. When documenting a crime scene with video:

Interactivity: Special Documentation Considerations in Crime Scenes

Learn about special documentation considerations in crime scenes in the interactivity below.

[CC BY 4.0] UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED | IMAGES: LICENSED AND USED ACCORDING TO TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION