Primer on the Tools of Crime Scene Analysis

• NCJ Number: 202987
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 56 Issue: 6 Dated: November/December 2003 Pages: 656-665
• Author(s): Robert J. Garrett
• Date Published: November 2003
• Length: 10 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: This paper was presented at the 88th educational conference of the International Association for Identification held in Ottawa, Canada, July 6-11, 2003.

Annotation

This article discusses the importance of crime scene investigators being able to interpret as well as collect crime evidence.

Abstract

Crime scene investigators are in a unique position to re-create a crime because they have seen the evidence first hand. Each crime scene should be photographed and measured with the assumption that a reconstruction will be made. Suggestions for photographing the crime scene thoroughly are followed by suggestions for sketching the crime scene using graph paper. After discussing the importance of taking consistent measurements, rendering objects in three dimensions, and establishing plumb and level lines, the article suggests taking measurements of all of the people who will be depicted in the reconstruction. A discussion of the image editing, drafting and modeling, photogrammetry, and presentation software packages that are necessary for achieving a successful re-creation of a crime scene is presented. The author suggests that reconstruction and analysis are logical extensions of the crime scene investigator’s craft. Appendix, 5 figures