Criminal Investigations 9th Ed - Ch 2 - Documenting the Crime Scene Flashcards
Note taking is ____ _______ to the police profession.
NOT unique
When taking notes at a crime scene, document _____ ______.
known facts.
Record all information that helps answer the questions:
Who? What? Where? When? How? & Why?
________ _______ _______ is referred to as the “new DNA for law enforcement.”
Digital video analysis
_________ refers to the distinctness of your letters and numbers.
Legibility
________ refers to the distinctness of your statements.
Clarity
When taking photographs / videotape, the investigator should take sufficient photographs and/or videotape to ________ the entire scene.
reconstruct
Disadvantages of photographs include:
o They are not selective
o Do not show actual distances
o May be distorted and damaged by mechanical errors in shooting or processing
Disadvantages of videos include:
o Many people mistakenly believe that no training in videotaping is necessary
________ refers to the fineness of image detail captured with a camera, displayed on a monitor or printed on paper.
Resolution
High resolution produces a _______ image.
Low resolution produces a ______ image.
sharper
blurrier
• A pixel is the ___________ unit of a digital image, generally a dot within the image.
SMALLEST
Digital cameras are much more detailed and what most law enforcement officers are converting to. It is important to remember that digital cameras ____ be used in crime scene photography and ____ be used in court.
CAN or CANNOT
CAN
CAN
______-_______ photography uses the low end of the color spectrum, which is invisible to human sight, to make visible impressions of bruises and injures long after their actual occurrence.
Ultraviolet-light
Due to different digital altering programs, law enforcement must be vigilant in maintaining the _____ __ _____ of digital photographs.
chain of custody
A crime scene sketch does all of the following:
o Accurately portrays physical facts
o Relates to the sequence of events at the scene
o Establishes the precise location and relationship of objects and evidence at the scene
o Helps create a mental picture of the scene for those not present
o Is a permanent record of the scene
o Is usually admissible in court
A ___ ____ is the first pencil-drawn outline of a scene and the location of objects and evidence within this outline.
rough sketch
Plotting objects and evidence during the sketch of the crime scene involves the following methods:
o Rectangular – Coordinate Method: uses two adjacent walls as fixed points from which distances are measured at right angles.
o Baseline Method: establishes a straight line from one fixed pint to another, from which measurements are taken at right angles.
o Triangulation Method: uses straight-line measure from two fixed objects to the evidence to create a triangle with the evidence in the angle formed by two straight lights.
o Compass – Point Method: uses a protractor to measure the angel formed by two lines
o Cross – Projection Method: present the floor and walls as though they were one surface.
The sketch’s ______ contains the case number, type of crime, name of victim or complainant, location, date, time, investigator, anyone assisting, scale of the sketch, direction of north, and name of the person making the sketch.
legend
A _____ ______ is admissible if the investigating officer drew it or approved it after it was drawn and if it accurately represents the rough sketch. The rough sketch must remain available as evidence.
scale drawing
True or False:
If you make an error in your notes, you should not erase them. Simply mark through the error with a line. Erase marks in notebooks often raise questions regarding “tampering” during court.
True
To be admissible in court, photographs must be:
o Material o Relevant o Competent o Accurate o Free of Distortion o Noninflammatory
___ ____ can be used in photographic lineups to help identify suspects.
Mug shots
____________ is commonly used in outdoor scenes but can also be used indoors. This process of locating evidence or other items uses straight-line measures from two fixed objects.
Triangulation
Take photographs and video the entire crime scene before anything is disturbed, and _______ ________ and __________.
avoid inaccuracies and distortions.
_____ _____ are legally admissible in court and may be used to testify from or to refresh your memory.
Original notes
A(n) _________ _____ is drawn or personally witnessed by an investigator and accurately portrays a crime scene.
admissible sketch
Surveillance photography is often called “____ __________” because the photos prove that an incident occurred and can help identify suspects and weapons.
trap photography
Investigators should start taking notes as soon as possible after they _______ _ ___ _____.
arrive at the scene
A ______ _______ _______ allows officers to sort a database using specific characteristics: race, sex, hair color, height, age, distinguishing marks, etc.
Video Imaging System
