NCJ Number
65829
Date Published
1979
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS SLIDE SHOW PRESENTATION DESCRIBES METHODS OF CRIME SCENE SKETCHING, SUGGESTS A BASIC PROCEDURE TO FOLLOW, EXPLAINS LEGAL ISSUES INVOLVING THE USE OF SKETCHES AT TRIALS, AND DISCUSSES THE TYPES OF SKETCHES MADE.
Abstract
THE PURPOSE OF AN INVESTIGATIVE SKETCH IS TO PROVIDE A CORRECT RECORD THAT SHOWS THE SCENE AS IT WAS FOUND AND THAT CAN BE EXAMINED AT A LATER DATE. IT DOES NOT REQUIRE ARTISTIC ABILITY BUT MUST BE ACCURATE ENOUGH TO SHOW THE FACTS. THE SKETCH IS SUPPLEMENTARY TO THE INVESTIGATOR'S FIELD NOTES. SKETCHES RECORD ONLY THOSE ITEMS THAT SEEM IMPORTANT WHILE BEING MADE, IDENTIFY EACH OBJECT BY LABEL OR OTHER MEANS, ENABLE THE OBSERVER TO TAKE IN THE ENTIRE AREA AT A GLANCE, EMPHASIZE WHAT THE SKETCHER DEEMS IMPORTANT, AND SHOW EXACT MEASUREMENTS. ALTHOUGH PHOTOGRAPHS ARE ALSO VISUAL RECORDS, THEY DIFFER FROM SKETCHES IN THAT THEY SHOW EVERYTHING DISTINCT ENOUGH TO APPEAR ON THE NEGATIVE, DO NOT IDENTIFY SMALL ITEMS, RELATE A GREAT DEAL ABOUT THE CHARACTER OF THE SCENE, GIVE PROMINENCE TO THE LARGEST OBJECTS, AND DO NOT RECORD MEASUREMENTS ACCURATELY. SKETCHING RULES DISCUSSED INVOLVE MAIN LINES, MEASUREMENTS, LARGE OBJECTS, EVIDENCE, AND FINISHED DRAWINGS. SQUARED PAPER AND TEMPLATES ARE USEFUL SKETCHING AIDS. THE PROPORTIONS OF A SKETCH SHOULD BE DRAWN WITH RELATIVE ACCURACY SINCE THE TESTIMONY OF INVESTIGATORS CAN BE DISCREDITED IN COURT IF MEASUREMENTS ARE INACCURATE OR INEXACT. ADVICE IS GIVEN ON PLACING MASUREMENTS, LOCATING ITEMS OF EVIDENCE IN THE SKETCH, IDENTIFYING OBJECTS BY USING LABELS AND KEYS, AND ADDITIONAL ITEMS. SYMBOLS USED IN THE SKETCH ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. AN INSTRUCTOR'S GUIDE AND STUDY NOTES ARE INCLUDED. (WJR)