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Notes and Videography
Chapter 3
Notes and Videography Chapter Outline Documentation at the Crime Scene Note Taking at the Crime Scene
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Videography at the Crime Scene Discussion Questions
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Learning Objectives Upon completion of this chapter the reader should be able to: l Identify the ingredients of note taking at the crime scene. l Explain the significance and importance of “documentation in the documentation” in notes, videography, still photography, and sketching. l Use and/or demonstrate the process of videography at the crime scene.
DOCUMENTATION AT THE CRIME SCENE In order to show the relevancy of the crime scene investigation the crime scene itself and the physical evidence present at the crime scene must be permanently and accurately recorded. The current preferred methods for recording the crime scene are note taking, videography, still photography, and sketching. These methods are written, visual, and quantitative in nature. The methods are detailed and continuous. Each method, if done correctly, has sufficient content to stand-alone, but each method is intended to supplement the other methods. All of these methods or techniques of documentation must also contain relevancy and reliability. The relevancy and reliability is accomplished by the use of “documentation within the documentation.” Simple recording of case number, date(s), time(s), and name(s) minimally can fulfill the documentation of the documentation method. Each of the documentation methods to be discussed in this chapter and the next will include the manner in which the documentation can be documented.
NOTE TAKING AT THE CRIME SCENE The written record of the crime scene investigation includes overall observations of the scene which include a detailed description of the scene, the body (if a death investigation), and any items of physical evidence found at the preliminary scene survey. An easy process to follow to assist the scene investigator is to answer the following questions when describing the scene, etc.: How many (quantity)? What is it (name or other identifier)? Where is it (location)? What does it look like (appearance, color, construction, size, condition)? Is it unique (serial numbers, signatures, brand or model name, etc.)? Who is at the scene? Who is a potential witness? The notes are the written record of on-scene activities, location of physical evidence, descriptions of people at the scene, and the condition of the crime scene. The notes are not only crucial for initial crime scene investigation, but are also important for subsequent investigation. Accurate crime scene reporting in the notes is essential in the successful completion of an investigation and case resolution from a relevancy and reliability viewpoint. There is no set process or procedure for crime scene note taking, but some minimum requirements that should be found in the notes are: 1. Notification and Arrival information. 2. Description of the scene: a. weather (temperature, winds, rain, etc.); b. location (interior/exterior, first floor/second floor, car/house, etc.); c. vehicles, buildings, or other major structures; d. evidence easily identified (prior to preliminary scene survey) and especially the transient (smells, sounds, sights) and conditional (light switches, HVAC controls) evidence. The Crime Scene. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-801245-1.00003-7 Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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38 PART | II Making a Scene Relevant-Documentation
Crime Scene Notes
CSInvestigator Michelle Ward, 0600 Case #: 2015-02376 January 13, 2015 Address: Palm Terrace Scene: Second story apartment, CBS construction, dry wall/plaster, front door locked but pried open, carpet, ceramic tile and hardwood floors, heater at 77 deg, windows closed and draperies drawn closed. Female body in back south bedroom. Rooms appear ransacked. Purse on kitchen table with contents spilled. Redbrown stains in area of front door (only POE). Body Description: face up, hands by sides, legs crossed at ankles. Blue jeans, turtle neck shirt, shoes and shocks present. No obvious wounds but bruising around the neck. Laying next to the fully made bed. Throw rug under the body. Possible hairs in the right hand. Team members are: Miller, Smith, Ward and Jones. First responder at scene: EMS Daren Watson Walk Thru Done: Smith Lead Detective: S. Holmes, CID Documentation started: Miller 0630 FIGURE 3.1 Incomplete details in notes.
3. Description of victim(s)—The victim’s body is the single most important piece of evidence in a death investigation. Its condition at the scene is the last time it will be in that condition. It requires significant documentation prior to removal from the scene. Any movement or disruption of the body at the crime scene must be with the authorization or approval of the appropriate authority. Once given, the following may be included in the notes: a. position or location; b. lividity or rigidity; c. wounds; d. clothing, footwear, jewelry, forms of identification; e. weapons at scene; f. any physical evidence deposited on the body—patterned evidence, trace evidence, etc. 4. Crime scene investigation team: a. duty assignments—notes, video, photography, sketching, evidence collection, processing or searching responsibilities, etc.; b. preliminary scene survey information—from the “walk-through”; c. start and ending times for the scene duties; d. evidence searching, processing or enhancement, collection, packaging, and transportation/storage. At the conclusion of on-scene note taking the crime scene investigator will need to prepare a report of the “crime scene investigation.” While there is no set format for these final summary reports, information from the on-scene investigators notes are the only reliable source to fulfill legal and scientific needs. If the notes are incomplete then there may be significant information easily forgotten or changed (see Figure 3.1). A complete note-taking report includes all details and can include basic sketches or drawing to supplement the verbiage of the report. Remember, “a picture equals a 1000 words.” See Figure 3.2. Recording of the crime scene activities as they happen and not relying upon only memory must occur. Until expertise in recording the details of the on-scene investigation is attained the use of some checklists may assist the crime scene note-taker. In addition to the detail shown in the above crime scene report, the report also shows the appropriate use of the documentation within the documentation that represents the reliability of the report. See this short crime scene report (Figure 3.3) to show that the process of note taking does not end when the original scene work is finished. It is always necessary for all activities.
Notes and Videography Chapter | 3 39
FIGURE 3.2 Sketch in crime scene report.
40 PART | II Making a Scene Relevant-Documentation
FIGURE 3.3 Even short reports require note taking.
Notes and Videography Chapter | 3 41
FIGURE 3.3 Cont’d
42 PART | II Making a Scene Relevant-Documentation
FIGURE 3.4 An incomplete placard. What is missing?
VIDEOGRAPHY AT THE CRIME SCENE Videography is the “virtual reality” format of crime scene documentation. It is an orientation format intended to allow the viewer to be virtually “at the scene.” Videography at crime scenes should be one of the first steps after the walk-through (or preliminary scene survey). The notes by the videographer should start with the recording of the information on the equipment used besides the basic notification and location information. The process for the videography of crime scenes starts with recording a placard for documentation within the documentation. The placard information should include, minimally, the case number, the date, time, location, type of investigation, and any other information deemed necessary by the videographer. See Figure 3.4. The videography of the entire crime scene should be without any subjective audio recording. It is important to prevent added subjectivity to the crime scene documentation making sure that all law enforcement personnel are not videotaped on the scene. Begin the orientation videography with a general view of the areas surrounding and leading into or away from the crime scene especially roads and intersections. The use of the four compass points will insure that all general viewpoints are recorded. The videography throughout the crime scene should be done in the wide-angle view format. Close-up views of the evidence are not usually done with the videography because still photography is better suited for that purpose. The videography of the crime scene should also include a view of the crime scene looking from the victim’s point of view. Standing near the victim’s location and recording 360° can achieve this viewpoint and oftentimes is useful for further investigation. Do not destroy evidence or alter the victim’s position when attempting this step. It is not good practice to walk while recording instead use a tripod for the 360° views. This practice will also allow for ease in panning throughout the crime scene. See Figure 3.5. A good plan of action before doing the actual recording is essential. This plan can be easily accomplished by the use of a map. The Internet map applications and good old-fashioned road maps work well for visualizing all surrounding roads, intersections, and points of entry or exit. See Figure 3.6 for an example of using a map for setting up a plan of action for video recording at the crime scene.
FIGURE 3.5 Always use a tripod for videography.
360 Video Here Crime Scene
FIGURE 3.6 Using a map for a video plan of action.
44 PART | II Making a Scene Relevant-Documentation
Videography of the crime scene, once completed, should never be edited or altered. There is nothing wrong with repeating recordings of the crime scene, especially as new evidence is located or found. Digital video cameras can be examined by viewing through the viewfinder, evaluated immediately, and the entire scene rerecorded if necessary. Videography as a documentation method can provide a perspective of the crime scene that is more easily perceived than by notes, sketches, or still photographs. Remember, however, that it is a supplemental technique and not a replacement for the other techniques.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Why is it important to document the crime scene and the physical evidence found in the scene? 2. What is the purpose for note taking and videography as methods of crime scene documentation? 3. What should be included for good note taking at the crime scene? 4. The videography of a crime scene has what essential role in the documentation of crime scenes?
Notes and Videography Chapter Outline Documentation at the Crime Scene Note Taking at the Crime Scene
37 37
Videography at the Crime Scene Discussion Questions
42 44
Learning Objectives Upon completion of this chapter the reader should be able to: l Identify the ingredients of note taking at the crime scene. l Explain the significance and importance of “documentation in the documentation” in notes, videography, still photography, and sketching. l Use and/or demonstrate the process of videography at the crime scene.
DOCUMENTATION AT THE CRIME SCENE In order to show the relevancy of the crime scene investigation the crime scene itself and the physical evidence present at the crime scene must be permanently and accurately recorded. The current preferred methods for recording the crime scene are note taking, videography, still photography, and sketching. These methods are written, visual, and quantitative in nature. The methods are detailed and continuous. Each method, if done correctly, has sufficient content to stand-alone, but each method is intended to supplement the other methods. All of these methods or techniques of documentation must also contain relevancy and reliability. The relevancy and reliability is accomplished by the use of “documentation within the documentation.” Simple recording of case number, date(s), time(s), and name(s) minimally can fulfill the documentation of the documentation method. Each of the documentation methods to be discussed in this chapter and the next will include the manner in which the documentation can be documented.
NOTE TAKING AT THE CRIME SCENE The written record of the crime scene investigation includes overall observations of the scene which include a detailed description of the scene, the body (if a death investigation), and any items of physical evidence found at the preliminary scene survey. An easy process to follow to assist the scene investigator is to answer the following questions when describing the scene, etc.: How many (quantity)? What is it (name or other identifier)? Where is it (location)? What does it look like (appearance, color, construction, size, condition)? Is it unique (serial numbers, signatures, brand or model name, etc.)? Who is at the scene? Who is a potential witness? The notes are the written record of on-scene activities, location of physical evidence, descriptions of people at the scene, and the condition of the crime scene. The notes are not only crucial for initial crime scene investigation, but are also important for subsequent investigation. Accurate crime scene reporting in the notes is essential in the successful completion of an investigation and case resolution from a relevancy and reliability viewpoint. There is no set process or procedure for crime scene note taking, but some minimum requirements that should be found in the notes are: 1. Notification and Arrival information. 2. Description of the scene: a. weather (temperature, winds, rain, etc.); b. location (interior/exterior, first floor/second floor, car/house, etc.); c. vehicles, buildings, or other major structures; d. evidence easily identified (prior to preliminary scene survey) and especially the transient (smells, sounds, sights) and conditional (light switches, HVAC controls) evidence. The Crime Scene. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-801245-1.00003-7 Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
37
38 PART | II Making a Scene Relevant-Documentation
Crime Scene Notes
CSInvestigator Michelle Ward, 0600 Case #: 2015-02376 January 13, 2015 Address: Palm Terrace Scene: Second story apartment, CBS construction, dry wall/plaster, front door locked but pried open, carpet, ceramic tile and hardwood floors, heater at 77 deg, windows closed and draperies drawn closed. Female body in back south bedroom. Rooms appear ransacked. Purse on kitchen table with contents spilled. Redbrown stains in area of front door (only POE). Body Description: face up, hands by sides, legs crossed at ankles. Blue jeans, turtle neck shirt, shoes and shocks present. No obvious wounds but bruising around the neck. Laying next to the fully made bed. Throw rug under the body. Possible hairs in the right hand. Team members are: Miller, Smith, Ward and Jones. First responder at scene: EMS Daren Watson Walk Thru Done: Smith Lead Detective: S. Holmes, CID Documentation started: Miller 0630 FIGURE 3.1 Incomplete details in notes.
3. Description of victim(s)—The victim’s body is the single most important piece of evidence in a death investigation. Its condition at the scene is the last time it will be in that condition. It requires significant documentation prior to removal from the scene. Any movement or disruption of the body at the crime scene must be with the authorization or approval of the appropriate authority. Once given, the following may be included in the notes: a. position or location; b. lividity or rigidity; c. wounds; d. clothing, footwear, jewelry, forms of identification; e. weapons at scene; f. any physical evidence deposited on the body—patterned evidence, trace evidence, etc. 4. Crime scene investigation team: a. duty assignments—notes, video, photography, sketching, evidence collection, processing or searching responsibilities, etc.; b. preliminary scene survey information—from the “walk-through”; c. start and ending times for the scene duties; d. evidence searching, processing or enhancement, collection, packaging, and transportation/storage. At the conclusion of on-scene note taking the crime scene investigator will need to prepare a report of the “crime scene investigation.” While there is no set format for these final summary reports, information from the on-scene investigators notes are the only reliable source to fulfill legal and scientific needs. If the notes are incomplete then there may be significant information easily forgotten or changed (see Figure 3.1). A complete note-taking report includes all details and can include basic sketches or drawing to supplement the verbiage of the report. Remember, “a picture equals a 1000 words.” See Figure 3.2. Recording of the crime scene activities as they happen and not relying upon only memory must occur. Until expertise in recording the details of the on-scene investigation is attained the use of some checklists may assist the crime scene note-taker. In addition to the detail shown in the above crime scene report, the report also shows the appropriate use of the documentation within the documentation that represents the reliability of the report. See this short crime scene report (Figure 3.3) to show that the process of note taking does not end when the original scene work is finished. It is always necessary for all activities.
Notes and Videography Chapter | 3 39
FIGURE 3.2 Sketch in crime scene report.
40 PART | II Making a Scene Relevant-Documentation
FIGURE 3.3 Even short reports require note taking.
Notes and Videography Chapter | 3 41
FIGURE 3.3 Cont’d
42 PART | II Making a Scene Relevant-Documentation
FIGURE 3.4 An incomplete placard. What is missing?
VIDEOGRAPHY AT THE CRIME SCENE Videography is the “virtual reality” format of crime scene documentation. It is an orientation format intended to allow the viewer to be virtually “at the scene.” Videography at crime scenes should be one of the first steps after the walk-through (or preliminary scene survey). The notes by the videographer should start with the recording of the information on the equipment used besides the basic notification and location information. The process for the videography of crime scenes starts with recording a placard for documentation within the documentation. The placard information should include, minimally, the case number, the date, time, location, type of investigation, and any other information deemed necessary by the videographer. See Figure 3.4. The videography of the entire crime scene should be without any subjective audio recording. It is important to prevent added subjectivity to the crime scene documentation making sure that all law enforcement personnel are not videotaped on the scene. Begin the orientation videography with a general view of the areas surrounding and leading into or away from the crime scene especially roads and intersections. The use of the four compass points will insure that all general viewpoints are recorded. The videography throughout the crime scene should be done in the wide-angle view format. Close-up views of the evidence are not usually done with the videography because still photography is better suited for that purpose. The videography of the crime scene should also include a view of the crime scene looking from the victim’s point of view. Standing near the victim’s location and recording 360° can achieve this viewpoint and oftentimes is useful for further investigation. Do not destroy evidence or alter the victim’s position when attempting this step. It is not good practice to walk while recording instead use a tripod for the 360° views. This practice will also allow for ease in panning throughout the crime scene. See Figure 3.5. A good plan of action before doing the actual recording is essential. This plan can be easily accomplished by the use of a map. The Internet map applications and good old-fashioned road maps work well for visualizing all surrounding roads, intersections, and points of entry or exit. See Figure 3.6 for an example of using a map for setting up a plan of action for video recording at the crime scene.
FIGURE 3.5 Always use a tripod for videography.
360 Video Here Crime Scene
FIGURE 3.6 Using a map for a video plan of action.
44 PART | II Making a Scene Relevant-Documentation
Videography of the crime scene, once completed, should never be edited or altered. There is nothing wrong with repeating recordings of the crime scene, especially as new evidence is located or found. Digital video cameras can be examined by viewing through the viewfinder, evaluated immediately, and the entire scene rerecorded if necessary. Videography as a documentation method can provide a perspective of the crime scene that is more easily perceived than by notes, sketches, or still photographs. Remember, however, that it is a supplemental technique and not a replacement for the other techniques.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Why is it important to document the crime scene and the physical evidence found in the scene? 2. What is the purpose for note taking and videography as methods of crime scene documentation? 3. What should be included for good note taking at the crime scene? 4. The videography of a crime scene has what essential role in the documentation of crime scenes?