Disadvantages of photos to record crime scenes

DISADVANTAGES OF PHOTOS TO RECORD CRIME SCENES
LACK DEPTH
FAIL TO PROVIDE ACCURATE REPRESENTATION OF DISTANCES BETWEEN ITEMS OF EVIDENCE
CAMERA ANGLE AND DISTANCE FROM WHICH PHOTOGRAPH IS TAKEN CAN LEAD TO FALSE INTERPRETATION OF CRITICAL RELATIONSHIPS AMONG OBJECTS

THE ADVANTAGE OF USING SCENE SKETCHES AND DETAILED DRAWINGS IS:
TO PROVIDE MORE ACCURATE INFORMATION TO THE COURT ABOUT EVENTS WHICH OCCURRED AT THE SCENE

SPO #1 MAKING A CRIME SCENE SKETCH
Draw a rough outline of the room or area
Include the dimensions of the room or area drawn
Include distances between objects shown
Include dimensions of large pieces of furniture
Have another officer verify your measurements
Show all measurements on the drawing

Indicate location of all fixed objects:
Doors
Windows
Shelves
Partitions
Indicate, with numbers, the location of all moveable objects and any object to be removed from the scene:
Lamps
Statues
Large pictures
Pieces of furniture

Create a legend on the sketch and include:
Case number
Address of building or area
Date
Victim’s name, if known
Name of officer who made sketch
Name of other officers present
Type of crime

Indicate with arrow and the letter “N”, true North
Include a disclaimer if “not to scale”
Include a Key of identified items
Record the method of measurement, if necessary

SPO # 2 MAKING A DETAILED, FINAL DRAWING
INCLUDE A DISCLAIMER IF DETAILED DRAWING IS NOT TO SCALE
STRAIGHTEN ALL LINES – USE TEMPLATE
ROUND ALL CIRCLES – USE TEMPLATE
TYPE ALL LABELS AND MEASUREMENTS
CREATE A DRAWING IN A SIZE EASILY DUPLICATED
USE PERMANENT MARKER FOR DRAWING