Ch 3 crime scene documentation review

Question 1

describe usefulness of field notes

Answer 1

avoid shorthand because used in court

best evidence rule applies to original notes

Question 2

proper info contained on police report

Answer 2

prelim info, info from victims, witnesses, physical evidence, MO

Question 3

n what ways do photos assist in documenting crime scene?

Answer 3

the two requirement for admitting a photo into evidence:

1. Authentication - the photo is accurate and correct
2. Relevance - the photo will not unduly confuse or deceive the trier of fact.

Question 4

3 ways stages of photographing crime scene ( views)

Answer 4

1 .General View - weeping view of crime scene area
2. Medium-range view- taken from distance no greater than 20 ft away, depicting specific items in crime scene.
3. close up view- 5ft or less, small segments of a larger surface.
key factors are perspective, suitable lighting, use of markers

Question 5

how is the admissibility of the photographic evidence in court determined?

Answer 5

Materiality, Prejudicial Images, Distorted photos

Question 6

3 different sketching methods

Answer 6

Coordinate method - measuring from 2 fixed points. baseline technique.
Triangulation - Bird’s Eye view - good for outdoor
cross-projection method - for indoor scene, top down view of crime scene. (rooms folded down)
**sketch reps the scene as it actually is, photos and videos may distort dimensions* . rough and finished sketch