Republic of the Philippines

EULOGIO “AMANG” RODRIGUEZ

INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Cavite Campus
General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite

Subject: FUNDAMENTALS OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION AND INTELLIGENCE

Subject Code: CD1FCIIN
Topic: CRIME SCENE RECORDING
Sub-Topics: Types of Sketches Used in Crime Scene Investigations
Categories of Crime Scene Sketch
Materials in Crime Scene Sketch
Elements of Sketching
Basic Types of Measurement Used in Sketching
Cross-Projection Sketch
Computerized Crime Scene Sketch
Reporters: ED MICHAEL C. TOLEDANA
REBECCA P. PACLIBAR
AUBREY NICOLE B. ZIPAGAN
SHIELA MAE G. VILLANUEVA
DARREN KHATE A. MORILLO
GEORMHAY G. LAGAHIT
KENT JAPPER JAMES A. RODRIGUEZ
Instructor: Mr. ALVIN T. REJUSO, RCrim, LPT

Types of Sketches Used in Crime Scene Investigations

Two types of sketches are produced with regards to crime scene documentation: ROUGH
SKETCHES, AND FINAL/FINISHED SKETCHES.

Rough sketches are developed while on-

scene, typically during the crime scene
assessment/preliminary scene evaluation phase to
assist with development of a strategic plan for
processing. The sketch is not done to scale, can be
drawn with any implement (crayon, chalk, pencil, pen,
etc.), and is very rough artistically. As work progresses
at the crime scene, the sketch will include not only the
crude crime scene layout, but also will be used to
record measurements of items and structures, and
distances between items.
 A final sketch is a finished rendition of the rough sketch.
They are usually prepared for courtroom presentation and often
will not show all measurements and distances originally
recorded on the rough sketch. Only significant items and
structures are typically present within a final sketch. A final
sketch is produced in either ink or on a computer, in a manner
that is not able to be modified (i.e., not in pencil!). The sketch
should be clutter-free and should accurately depict all pertinent
items of evidence, typically through the use of an
accompanying legend. A legend is a note of explanation,
outside of the sketch area, which relates to a specific item,
symbol, or information contained within the graphical
representation of a sketch. A final sketch should include:

➢ Title (What does the sketch represent? For example,

Sketch of Bank ABC Robbery).
➢ Legend (What do symbols within the sketch mean?).
➢ Case Information. (i.e., date, time, place, case number).
➢ Initials/Name (person who drew the sketch).
➢ Indication of a direction (e.g., North).
➢ Scale (e.g.: 1” = 1’).
➢ Measurement table (If measurements are not represented within the confines of the sketch, an
accompanying measurement table should be included to explain the distances and
measurements associated with it.).
➢ There should be a notation following the scale or measurement table stating: “All Measurements
are Approximate.” This will ensure that the sketch’s author does not get into a credibility
argument in court that a measurement is documented as the listed measurement, but could in
fact be greater or lesser due to rounding errors or other factors.

Categories of Crime Scene Sketch

There are 4 main types of sketches: floor plan, elevation drawing, exploded view, and
perspective drawings. Each type has its own limitations and are used when called upon (because of
the scene).

Overview sketch – consists of a bird’s-eye-view or floor plan

Sketch of the scene. This is the most common type of sketch and
consists of items on the horizontal plane.
 Elevation sketch – portrays a vertical plane
rather than a Horizontal plane. Examples
include bloodstain patterns on Vertical
surfaces such as walls or cabinetry and bullet
holes through windows.

Exploded view or cross-projection sketch –

consists of a Combination of the first two
sketches. It is similar to a floor Plan except the
walls have been laid out flat and objects on
them have been shown in their relative
positions.

Perspective sketch – depicts the scene or

item of interest in three dimensions. It is the
most difficult sketch to create and requires
some artistic skill.
 Materials in Crime Scene Sketch

Sketching Materials

1. Supply of writing implements – pencils may be used for the overall sketch. A sketcher may
choose to use red pencils to denote bloodstains, and highlighters or other colored pencils to
mark different types of evidence on the sketch. Preserve a pencil created sketch in a permanent
manner as soon as possible. A good method for preservation is to photocopy the finished sketch
and include the photocopy with the original.

2. Blank paper – graph paper, while not essential, simplifies Scale drawing.

3. Drawing surface such as a clipboard.

4. Measuring devices – tape measures are the most common Tool used and should be at least
50 to 100 feet long. Other Measuring devices may include a surveyor’s wheel, a laser
Rangefinder, or a Total Station. GPS coordinates may be Useful in locating an outdoor scene.

5. Ruler- for drawing straight lines, drawing to scale, and Making very short measurements.

6. Magnetic compass- to determining true north.

Elements of Sketching

Five essential elements of the crime scene sketch.

• Heading: notation that indicates why the sketch was created. Ex. “sketch depicting
primary evidence”

• Diagram area: the drawing itself. The final drawing may be simplified (if there is a lot of
unessential clutter) but the original sketch should be kept.

• Legend: tells the viewer what the various labels used in the diagram depict.

• Title block: provides important info relevant to the location of the scene and the creator
of the sketch. Typically includes report number, address of scene, sketcher’s name,
time/date of creation.

• Scale and direction notations: include ‘not to scale’ if it is not to scale. Orient the sketch
as necessary, but indicate compass direction.
 Basic Types of Measurement Used in Sketching

Baseline Mapping- This is the

most basic—and least accurate—form
of crime scene mapping. For this
method, a baseline is developed or
identified from which to conduct
measurements. This can be an
existing area, such as the edge of a
roadway, a wall, fence, etc., or it can
be developed by personnel, such as by
placing a string or tape measure
through the scene and conducting
measurements from there. In the case
of the latter, the line should be run
between two known fixed points, such
as trees or other identifiable points, so
that the points could be found in the
future and the scene reconstructed if
necessary. Once the baseline is
established, measurements are taken
from the baseline at an approximate 90 degree angle from the baseline to a point on the identified item
or area of the crime scene. Typically, most measurements are made either to center mass of the item
or to the nearest point of the item to the baseline. Because it is impossible to ensure that the
measurement was taken at 90 degrees, the possibility exists that the measurement will be longer if the
measurement was over 90 degrees from the baseline, or if it was less than 90 degrees from the
baseline. For this reason, this method is not as accurate as some of the other methods; however, it is
quick and extremely easy to use.

Rectangular Coordinate
Mapping- The rectangular coordinate
mapping method is a slightly more
accurate variation of the baseline
method because it utilizes two such
baselines instead of one. Two
measurements are taken to a point on
an item or location at the scene. One
from each identified baseline. Some
personnel choose to measure to two or
more points on an item, using multiple
rectangular measurements as a way of
increasing accuracy, while others
simply choose to measure to an
arbitrarily-identified center mass of the
object in question or point to which the
measurements are being taken. As with
the baseline method, it cannot be determined that such measurements are taken precisely at 90 degree
angles from the baseline, so there exists a greater possibility of errors than with some of the other
methods. However, due to this method having two measurements, it has much greater accuracy than
with the single line baseline method. This method is especially useful in confined spaces and smaller
interior scenes.
 Triangulation Mapping- This
is the most accurate method that
does not make use of advanced
technology. While it is quite a bit more
laborious and time-consuming, it is
sufficiently more accurate than the
aforementioned methods of mapping
to be worth the effort. The accuracy
for this method comes in its
foundation: two fixed points. From
these two fixed points,
measurements are taken to specified
points on an item or within the crime
scene. There is no need to worry
about whether or not measurements
have been made at a right angle
because the points derive from a
known fixed point, such as the corner
of a room, or edge of a door frame. From these fixed points, a minimum of two measurements are
made to each identified point. If the object is of a fixed or constant shape (e.g., a firearm or item of
furniture), then the object is measured to two points, from the two fixed points, for a total of four
measurements. If the object is of a variable shape or size (e.g., a puddle of water, pool of blood, or pile
of clothes), then the object is measured to an approximate center of mass.

Polar/Grid Coordinate Mapping-

Utilizing polar coordinates is the fourth
method of crime scene mapping used to
document evidence location at a crime
scene. Like those previously mentioned, this
is a two-dimensional system that indicates
the location of an object by providing the
angle and distance from the fixed or known
point. Obviously, in order to conduct
measurements by this method a transit or
compass is necessary to measure the
angles and polar directions. This method is
best utilized in large outdoor scenes with
very few landmarks (e.g., a plane crash in
forest or large field).
 Cross-Projection Sketch

This sketch folds down the walls to convert three dimensions into two. Windows, pictures, blood
splatter, any evidence that can be found on walls can be drawn in a flattened manner to clarify
relationships. It is easier to draw than an Elevation Sketch, which keeps the walls intact and depends
on showing the three dimensions of the evidence.
 Computerized Crime Scene Sketch

Computer aided drafting (CAD) programs have great potential for helping the forensic
scientist. One of their most direct and useful applications is crime scene documentation, as an aid in
rendering neat, unambiguous line drawings of crime scenes. Once the data has been entered, it can
easily be displayed, printed, or plotted in a variety of formats. Final renditions from this initial data entry
can take multiple forms and can have multiple uses. As a demonstrative aid, a CAD program can
produce two dimensional (2-D) drawings of the scene from one's notes to scale. These 2-D renditions
are court display quality and help to make the forensic scientists's testimony easily understood. Another
use for CAD is as an analytical tool for scene reconstruction. More than just a drawing aid, CAD can
generate useful information from the data input. It can help reconstruct bullet paths or locations of
furniture in a room when it is critical to the reconstruction. Data entry at the scene, on a notebook
computer, can assist in framing and answering questions so that the forensic scientist can test
hypotheses while actively documenting the scene. Further, three dimensional (3-D) renditions of items
can be viewed from many 'locations' by using the program to rotate the object and the observers'
viewpoint.
BIBLIOGRAPHY/REFERENCES

"Documenting the Crime Scene," written by Aric W. DutelleAn excerpt from his book, An
Introduction to Crime Scene InvestigationJanuary-February 2010 (Volume 8, Number 1) Evidence
Technology Magazine.

PART 11.ppt, Available:https://www.slideshare.net/nruhland/crime-scene-sketching-basics

Physical EvidenceHandbook,Available:https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&ur
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MINNEAPOLISPUBLICSCHOOL, https://onlineelectives.mpls.k12.mn.us/triangulation_sketch